Good afternoon. 

I am very proud to stand before you today, now officially appointed Premier of the Virgin Islands. 

Family members and supporters gathered to witness His Excellency the Governor John Rankin, CMG, administer oaths of office to Cabinet ministers under a new Unity Government at Government House Thursday evening.

A Motion of No Confidence was made in the House of Assembly to have the Honourable Andrew A. Fahie removed from the post of Premier and Minister of Finance today May 5 

At the Second Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly Acting Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley made a Motion which reads: 

I appreciate that recent events in the British Virgin Islands with the arrest of Premier Fahie have been shocking and concerning for everybody.  The Commission of Inquiry Report has also raised very serious concerns about the failures of governance and dishonesty by elected officials.  This is a challenging time for the people of the British Virgin Islands.

Fellow Virgin Islanders,

Good afternoon. I know that many of you have been anxiously waiting to hear an update about talks with UK Overseas Territories Minister The Right. Hon. Amanda Milling, MP and His Excellency the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG.

Fellow Virgin Islanders

A pleasant good afternoon. I would like to inform the public of a recent development. It has come to my attention that correspondence is circulating on the Premier’s Office letterhead and stamped by the International Affairs Secretariat regarding diplomatic immunity of Premier Andrew A. Fahie who remains in the federal custody of the United States Government.

Today, Minister for the Overseas Territory, the Rt. Hon. Amanda Milling, arrives in the British Virgin Islands for discussions following the early publication of the Commission of Inquiry Report.

Earlier this morning, His Excellency the Governor Mr. John Rankin, CMG made the Commission of Inquiry report public. I was afforded the opportunity to receive a copy from the Governor yesterday and began reviewing the report. The entire document is quite long, but the recommendations can be read without taking up too much time.

Let me welcome you all to this morning’s press conference.

I, like many of you, have been shocked by the arrest of Premier Fahie with whom I have worked as Governor over the past 16 months. I know this community is a small but proud one, and I know you care deeply about the reputation of this great Territory. Rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance are and must be the foundations of a Territory’s reputation.

Good evening fellow Virgin Islanders,

As you are aware from news reports, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Andrew A. Fahie and Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mrs. Olivane Maynard, have been detained in Miami by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration on alleged charges of conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering.