Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has strongly rejected negative portrayals of the Virgin Islands, stating that the territory is being unfairly misrepresented on the global stage.
“Sometimes they make quite, I would say, reckless and outlandish statements in regards to the Virgin Islands. And the Virgin Islands isn’t really that caricature that they’ve painted us to be,” Dr Wheatley said during a press conference held yesterday.
His comments came after a series of meetings in the United Kingdom with officials, including Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty and anti-corruption advocate Baroness Margaret Hodge. The Premier explained that he had extended an invitation to Baroness Hodge to visit the BVI to gain a better understanding of the territory’s financial systems and governance reforms.
Dr Wheatley denied that the BVI received a proverbial slap on the wrist over its failure to meet financial transparency deadlines. He pointed to the territory’s 75-year history as a parliamentary democracy, noting that BVIslanders are a proud and dignified people.
“We’ve worked hard to build a financial services industry, and we’ve worked hard to build a society that many persons want to come here and to live and work here,” he said. “We’re not in a position where we are receiving slaps on the wrist from anyone.”
Premier Wheatley’s administration has been under pressure to implement governance reforms following the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, which raised concerns about corruption and mismanagement. While the UK had threatened direct rule, Dr Wheatley noted the territory’s progress had been widely recognised.
“CARICOM, the OECS, the ACS, and even the C24 at the United Nations have all commended our resilience in completing those governance reforms,” he said.
He also warned against reversing progress in the future, stating that the UK has said it will ensure reforms are not undone by future governments. “It’s important for whatever administration takes office at the next election to ensure that these reforms are not just sustained, but we build upon them,” Dr Wheatley stated.
The Premier reiterated the BVI’s commitment to good governance and financial transparency but cautioned against external narratives that distort the territory’s identity.
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