British Virgin Islands to update UK on governance and financial transparency reforms as Minister for UK Overseas Territories visits

• the Minister for the UK Overseas Territories is visiting the British Virgin Islands to hold meetings with the government and other stakeholders on the progress of governance reforms, financial transparency, and shared priorities on other issues
• the minister will also meet the Acting Commissioner of Police, Jackie Vanterpool, to discuss security challenges

The Rt Hon Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for the UK Overseas Territories, has arrived to the British Virgin Islands for a 2-day visit.

The minister’s programme will include meetings with Premier Honorable Dr Natalio Wheatley, Leader of the Opposition Honorable Ronnie Skelton, members of the Virgin Islands Government, senior public officials, and a range of community representatives to discuss governance reforms and progress.

The minister will also meet with the Acting Commissioner of Police, Jackie 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.

The new UK government is also committed to tackling the climate change and nature emergencies, and is keen to work in partnership with Overseas Territories on this crucial agenda.

On 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.