Premier Warns Against UK Control
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley warned residents that the United Kingdom may seek to assume control of the Virgin Islands’ Customs and Immigration departments, linking the concern to the replacement of Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool. The warning came during a Nov. 10 demonstration outside the Governor’s Office in Road Town, where protesters opposed Governor Daniel Pruce’s appointment of a UK national as interim acting commissioner.
Wheatley has warned that the United Kingdom could move to assume control of the Virgin Islands’ Customs and Immigration Departments, urging residents to be vigilant about what he described as increasing external involvement in the territory’s internal affairs. Wheatley made the remarks on Nov. 10 during a public demonstration outside the Governor’s Office in Road Town, where scores gathered to protest the removal of Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool.
The demonstration followed Governor Daniel Pruce’s announcement that former Royal Gibraltar Police Commissioner Richard Ullger would be appointed interim acting commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force effective Nov. 18, pending approval by the Police Service Commission and the National Security Council.
Addressing the crowd, Wheatley said: "The United Kingdom wants to take over Customs. If the people of the Virgin Islands do not stand up, this territory will be taken from right under your feet." He linked the current dispute to the territory’s long struggle for self-determination, noting the 75th anniversary of representative government and calling on residents to defend local governance: "Seventy-five years ago, our foreparents marched for us.
Now we must stand up the same way they did — for democracy, for justice, and for the right to govern ourselves." (Jahphix Television) Wheatley also questioned whether key departments would continue to be led by Virgin Islanders if external control were broadened, asking rhetorically whether a local like Customs Commissioner Greg Romney would retain his post if control shifted to UK management.
Neither the Governor’s Office nor the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has announced any formal plans to take over management of Customs or Immigration. Nonetheless, the Premier’s comments reflect growing local unease about the balance of authority between the elected government and the Governor, who under the constitution has responsibility for policing, internal security and certain public administration matters.
The protest drew both government and opposition figures and ended peacefully after more than an hour. Residents should watch for the Police Service Commission and National Security Council’s decisions on the interim appointment, and for any formal statements from the Governor’s Office or the UK FCDO clarifying future arrangements for Customs, Immigration and policing in the BVI.
Primary source: JTV