Fellow Virgin Islanders

A pleasant good afternoon. I would like to inform the public of a recent development. It has come to my attention that correspondence is circulating on the Premier’s Office letterhead and stamped by the International Affairs Secretariat regarding diplomatic immunity of Premier Andrew A. Fahie who remains in the federal custody of the United States Government.

Today, Minister for the Overseas Territory, the Rt. Hon. Amanda Milling, arrives in the British Virgin Islands for discussions following the early publication of the Commission of Inquiry Report.

Earlier this morning, His Excellency the Governor Mr. John Rankin, CMG made the Commission of Inquiry report public. I was afforded the opportunity to receive a copy from the Governor yesterday and began reviewing the report. The entire document is quite long, but the recommendations can be read without taking up too much time.

Let me welcome you all to this morning’s press conference.

I, like many of you, have been shocked by the arrest of Premier Fahie with whom I have worked as Governor over the past 16 months. I know this community is a small but proud one, and I know you care deeply about the reputation of this great Territory. Rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance are and must be the foundations of a Territory’s reputation.

Good evening fellow Virgin Islanders,

As you are aware from news reports, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Andrew A. Fahie and Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mrs. Olivane Maynard, have been detained in Miami by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration on alleged charges of conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering.

I would like to provide an update to the people of the British Virgin Islands on recent law enforcement action taken by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency about which I have been informed today.

In my statement of 5 April on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report I said I would provide a further update after Easter.

Welcome to another One on One bi-weekly press conference, where your Government continues to provide regular updates on the work that we are doing to further strengthen the resilience of our islands and to improve the quality of life for all our citizens, as well as to facilitate questions from the media.

Good day and God’s blessing to All. On 4^th April 2022, His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin CMG kindly informed me of his receipt of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report from Sir Gary Hickinbottom. I thanked the Governor for his update.

Yesterday, 4 April, I received the Commission of Inquiry Report from Commissioner Sir Gary Hickinbottom. I am extremely grateful to him and his team for their hard work over the last 15 months. I believe that they have carried out a valuable service for the people of the British Virgin Islands.