Premier Backs Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has reaffirmed his full support for Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett following media questions regarding controversial transactions and Frett's future in the post. Dr. Wheatley highlighted Frett's record of achievements while emphasizing structured accountability and established public service processes.
Natalio Wheatley has expressed his full confidence in Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett, addressing ongoing media and public scrutiny regarding recent controversial financial transactions involving public funds and questions surrounding the senior official's tenure. Wheatley was questioned directly on whether Frett had retired, intended to retire, or should be replaced.
The inquiries followed public attention on several financial matters, including an unauthorized $2.5 million investment placed with Jamaica-based Delta Capital Partners, a $5 million government deposit placed with the Bank of Asia prior to its receivership, and a reported $20 million budget error.
The Delta Capital investment remains under investigation by the Financial Investigation Agency, with the Premier previously noting it had been executed without required approvals from the Minister of Finance and the Financial Secretary. Similarly, former Accountant General Arnold Ainsley was cited for procedural breaches in authorising the Bank of Asia deposit.
Responding to calls from public commentators—including radio host Claude Skelton Cline—and media questions about a potential transition in financial leadership, Dr. Wheatley publicly endorsed Frett and firmly rejected suggestions that he was assigning blame to public officers. "Let me just publicly endorse the financial secretary for the leadership he has provided within the Ministry of Finance," Dr.
Wheatley stated. "It's certainly not going to be a practice of mine to come here and to criticise our public officers who are working hard on behalf of the people. I continue to put my full support behind the financial secretary. And make no mistake, I don't blame anyone." Regarding Frett's future tenure, Dr.
Wheatley clarified that decisions concerning the employment, retirement, and discipline of public officers fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Governor and the Public Service Commission. He stated he would not pre-empt those established statutory processes. Wheatley further outlined Frett's track record during critical junctures for the Virgin Islands.
He credited the Financial Secretary with guiding the Ministry of Finance through the delivery of the Territory's largest budget in history, steering financial recovery following the Commission of Inquiry, managing post-2017 hurricane reconstruction efforts, and helping the Territory secure its first investment-grade credit rating from S&P Global Ratings.
While defending Frett, the Premier acknowledged that accountability must exist across all levels of government, including his own ministerial responsibilities, noting that the electorate would ultimately judge his administration. Wheatley emphasized the need for a structured system of accountability and linked the discussion to ongoing constitutional negotiations, where the Territory's delegation is working to place the public service under the direct authority of the elected Government to enhance democratic oversight.
Primary source: BVI Platinum