BVI Governor John Rankin ordered the report to investigate “corruption, abuse of power and other serious dishonesty” in British overseas governance. It started in 2021, headed by British Judge Gary Hickinbottom. “It is with a heavy heart that unless the most drastic and urgent measures are taken, the current situation with elected officials deliberately ignoring the principles of good governance will continue indefinitely,” said Rankin, his spokesman. Queen at BVI. “He notes that the people of BVI deserve better and that the UK Government owes them an obligation to protect them from such abuses and to help them achieve their ambitions for self-government as a modern democratic state.” The report recommended that any new administrative arrangements last for two years, but that the ministerial government should be repeated “as soon as possible”. If London accepts the research’s central recommendation, one of more than 40 in the 946-page report, Mr Rankin – a British career diplomat – will take over the BVI’s day-to-day operations. In a statement, he said: “I pledge that the best interests of the BVI people will continue to be my primary concern, ensuring transparent, honest and open rule of law rule of law to strengthen the foundations of the British Virgin Islands. . “I believe the COI report is a vital and extremely valuable contribution to achieving better governance in the BVI in the interest of the people of the region.” Image: Prime Minister Andrew Fahie. Photo: Virgin Islands Government The report has nothing to do with the arrest on Thursday of the island’s elected leader, Prime Minister Andrew Fahier, on charges of money laundering and cocaine conspiracy. Fahie was arrested in Miami, Florida, as part of an operation led by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to the Miami Herald, he was arrested by DEA agents posing as cocaine traffickers from the Mexican Sinaloa cartel. Read more: US law enforcement bites British Virgin Islands prime minister over drug and money laundering investigation Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement: “The arrest of the British Virgin Islands Prime Minister yesterday on charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering is extremely worrying and underscores the need for urgent action. “In January 2021, we expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating governance situation in the British Virgin Islands, as well as the potential vulnerability of the islands to serious organized crime. “The government of the United Kingdom supported the decision of the then governor to launch an independent inquiry into the governance of the Territory. “The research report released today by the governor clearly shows that a substantial legislative and constitutional change is needed to restore the governance standards to which the people of the British Virgin Islands are entitled. “I have instructed the Minister of Overseas Territories to travel to the territory immediately to talk to the governor and key stakeholders. We will then announce a clear way forward.”
