Lifting of Order in Council reflects UK's
The Premier’s statement comes following the announcement that the draft Order in Council by the United Kingdom (UK) to suspend the Virgin Islands (VI) Constitution is to be lifted. A letter from th...
The Premier’s statement comes following the announcement that the draft Order in Council by the United Kingdom (UK) to suspend the Virgin Islands (VI) Constitution is to be lifted. A letter from the Minister of State for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen J.
Doughty, dated September 22, 2025, conveyed the message to Premier Wheatley. In a video posted to the government’s Facebook page following the announcement, Premier Wheatley said, “As Premier, I assure the public that my government and I remain committed to good governance and leading this territory with honesty, integrity and democratic accountability.” Confidence in current administration He said from the beginning, Virgin Islanders were adamant about “protecting democratic governance and the hard-earned constitutional gains of our ancestors who built this territory with courage, vision and fortitude”.
Premier Wheatley also said there are some procedural matters that will have to be completed for the Order in Council to be lifted, which will take a bit more time. He noted that the decision to lift the Order in Council, “reflects the completion of the Governance Reform Program agreed in May 2022 and confidence in my administration’s firm commitment to good governance”.
Dr Wheatley said the government is committed to a long-term transition plan to continue governance reform and mainstream it into the daily working of the government. “We will continue to build on the progress achieved for the benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands.” Premier Wheatley thanked God for granting them the strength and resilience to forge ahead under challenging circumstances, requiring the implementation of the 48 recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), while at the same time delivering public services to the people.
He also thanked his Cabinet and House of Assembly colleagues and Governor Pruce and his team for the tireless work in implementing the CoI recommendations, as well as his internal team. Premier Wheatley also expressed gratitude to CARICOM, OECS, the United Nations, the Caribbean Overseas Territories Caucus, the United States Virgin Islands, and all the VI’s international partners “who have stood by our side these past three years”. “I thank the Foreign Secretary for accepting the recommendation to lift the order.
I also thank the OT Minister Stephen Doughty, as well as the previous OT ministers involved, for embracing a collective approach, which allows us to implement the reforms under continued democratic governance, as we strive to build a model democracy.” This online news site is the sole property of and is operated by Advance Marketing and Professional Services dba Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in the Virgin Islands.
The content, which includes all articles, photographs, advertisements, bloggs and graphic images, are copyrighted by Virgin Islands News Online and/or the original copyright holder. It is therefore illegal to use, reproduce, rewrite, amend or plagiarise any items found on this online news site without the expressed permission of the Board of Directors or Management of VINO.
Failure to comply could lead to legal actions. © 2012 / All Rights Reserved.
Primary source: VINO