Wheatley Slams Guardian Portrayal
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has condemned a recent Guardian article he says misrepresents the Virgin Islands, calling it 'very imbalanced, salacious and insulting.' He criticised what he described as sensational allegations and urged for reporting that recognises the territory's progress since the Commission of Inquiry.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has strongly rejected a recent Guardian article that, he says, paints an unfair and demeaning picture of the British Virgin Islands and its people. Speaking at a press conference last week, Dr Wheatley described the piece as 'very imbalanced, salacious and insulting' and said it did not reflect the Virgin Islands he knows.
He told reporters the article presented a narrative of corruption and dysfunction without sufficient context or verification. The Guardian article revisited the fallout from former Premier Andrew Fahie’s 2022 arrest and later conviction in the United States on drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy charges.
It also featured comments from past high-ranking figures, including a former police commissioner and a former governor. Dr Wheatley said some assertions were offered absent proper local context and knowledge of the territory. He specifically addressed allegations reported in the piece about tensions between past political leaders and law enforcement, including a claim that Mr Fahie had once asked the Commissioner of Police to arrest the Governor. 'I had no knowledge of that incident,' the Premier said, criticising what he described as sensational assertions that were included without adequate verification or opportunity for rebuttal.
Dr Wheatley pointed to developments he says show meaningful progress since the Commission of Inquiry, including the UK government's decision not to impose direct rule and to continue working with elected leaders. He referenced UK comments that the Order in Council would not be revoked until substantial work had been done to strengthen local institutions — a process the Premier said is underway in the territory.
Beyond governance, Dr Wheatley rejected what he suggested were cultural and racial undertones in the way the territory was described. He highlighted the warmth and decency of Virgin Islanders, noting the recent 75th anniversary of the legislature and the many positive stories about the community’s character.
As an example, he noted that former Police Commissioner Michael Matthews chose to remain in the Virgin Islands after completing his tenure, saying this reflected the territory’s appeal and the hospitality of its people. The Premier called on international media to report fairly and to engage more deeply with local perspectives as reforms continue in the BVI.
Primary source: BVI News