UK Minister of State for Overseas Territories Visits British Virgin Islands
Visit from 4 to 6 November
Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for the UK Overseas Territories, has arrived in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, for a visit from 4 to 6 November.
Background
Doughty is relatively new to the post, having been appointed as an MP in the newly formed Labour Party government. He is from Wales and was educated at Oxford University, with a background in working for Oxfam International.
Discussion Points
A significant topic of discussion during Doughty’s visit is the potential lifting of the Order in Council, which was reserved by the UK government to enforce governance reforms in the BVI following a Commission of Inquiry. Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has expressed a desire to have this order lifted, viewing it as a colonial measure incompatible with modern democratic values.
Order in Council
An Order in Council is a formal legal directive issued by the British government on behalf of the monarch. In the context of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which is a British Overseas Territory, an Order in Council can be used to enforce certain laws or decisions directly by the UK government without requiring approval from the local BVI legislature.
Reforms
Following a 2021-2022 Commission of Inquiry, the UK government issued an Order in Council to reserve the power to intervene if the BVI government did not implement certain recommended reforms. These reforms aimed to address issues related to transparency, public sector accountability, and the rule of law.
Climate Change
Doughty will also address climate change challenges facing the BVI, particularly the challenge of preparing for hurricanes and developing hurricane-proof infrastructure. The territory is increasingly vulnerable to severe weather events, and discussions are underway to enhance climate resilience and secure funding for adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Minister’s Programme
The Minister’s programme will include meetings with Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley; Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton; members of the Government of the Virgin Islands; senior public officials, and a range of community representatives to discuss governance reforms and progress.
Beneficial Ownership Transparency
Doughty will also meet with the Acting Commissioner of Police, Jacqueline Vanterpool, to understand security challenges and progress on implementation of the law enforcement review. He will also seek an update from the government on the implementation of beneficial ownership transparency, in line with commitments to deliver on this important reform.
Goal of Beneficial Ownership Transparency
Beneficial ownership transparency is the practice of making information about the true, or "beneficial," owners of assets, businesses, or financial entities publicly accessible. The goal is to prevent anonymous or hidden ownership structures that can be used to engage in illegal activities, like money laundering, tax evasion, corruption, or even the financing of terrorism.
UK Government’s Commitment
The new UK Government is committed to tackling the climate change and nature emergencies, and is keen to work in partnership with Overseas Territories on this crucial agenda.
Minister’s Statement
Ahead of his arrival, the Minister said: "I am looking forward to meeting a wide range of government and community stakeholders during my visit. Our new UK Government is committed to working in partnership with the elected governments and Governors of the Overseas Territories on shared priorities and responsibilities, ranging from governance and security to climate change and nature.
"I will be meeting with a range of stakeholders to assess progress made on governance reforms, the challenges of security in the British Virgin Islands and on financial services accountability and transparency – alongside discussing joint work on other key issues such as climate change and nature.
"It is vital that the Commission of Inquiry recommendations are implemented in full, and that plans are in place to ensure reforms are sustainable and will lead to long-term change which will benefit the lives of those who live in the British Virgin Islands."
Conclusion
The visit by Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for the UK Overseas Territories, provides an opportunity to assess the progress of governance reforms in the BVI and to discuss joint work on climate change and nature emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the Minister’s visit?
A: The Minister’s visit aims to assess the progress of governance reforms in the BVI and to discuss joint work on climate change and nature emergencies.
Q: What are the key topics of discussion during the visit?
A: The key topics of discussion include the potential lifting of the Order in Council, beneficial ownership transparency, and climate change challenges facing the BVI.
Q: What is the goal of beneficial ownership transparency?
A: The goal is to prevent anonymous or hidden ownership structures that can be used to engage in illegal activities, like money laundering, tax evasion, corruption, or even the financing of terrorism.
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