Premier Probes Unauthorised Delta Capital Investment
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has revealed that former Accountant General Arnold Ainsley made an unauthorised public investment in Delta Capital Partners Limited without required ministerial approval. The transaction is now under formal investigation by the Financial Investigation Agency and the Internal Audit Department. Premier Wheatley affirmed his administration's commitment to transparency and noted that strengthened investment policies are now in place.
Natalio Wheatley has disclosed that an unauthorised investment of public funds was made into Delta Capital Partners Limited by former Accountant General Arnold Ainsley without ministerial knowledge or approval. In an official statement to the territory, Premier Wheatley stated that the Public Finance Management Act requires all investments of public monies to receive formal authorisation from the Minister of Finance.
The unauthorised transaction was officially brought to the Premier's attention by the Ministry of Finance in April 2026. Investigations have been launched across multiple state bodies to establish how the breach took place and to hold any responsible parties accountable. The Financial Investigation Agency is currently probing the transaction to uncover potential wrongdoing, and the Premier has formally instructed the Internal Audit Department to conduct an investigation.
Additionally, the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury Department are pursuing active recovery efforts to secure any recoverable public funds. The Premier also referenced ongoing matters surrounding a separate investment in a Certificate of Deposit at the Bank of Asia. An internal audit regarding that investment identified governance gaps and breaches of the Public Finance Management Act by the former Accountant General.
Premier Wheatley confirmed that he is laying the Bank of Asia internal audit report before the House of Assembly and has requested the Deputy Governor to review the findings for potential culpability among public officers. To prevent future irregularities, Cabinet approved a comprehensive Government Investment Policy on March 18, 2026, establishing strict guidelines for the management and oversight of public investments.
Premier Wheatley reported that, despite losses linked to unauthorised transactions, the Territory's overall investment portfolio achieved positive growth between 2021 and 2026, generating 2,893,141.69 US dollars. Premier Wheatley emphasised that disciplinary authority over public officers rests with the Governor, Deputy Governor, and the Public Service Commission.
He pledged that full accountability and corrective measures will follow once the independent investigations and audits are concluded.
Primary source: BVI London Office