The endgame for the three-year-long Commission of Inquiry reform process has begun in earnest as the governor and premier each unveiled their final analysis ahead of pivotal decision-making by London within weeks.
Governor Daniel Pruce said Friday morning that he does not believe his office needs extra powers to push through the remaining COI reforms, but he stopped short of pressing the United Kingdom to lift the order in council that enables London to implement direct rule by suspending parts of the territory’s Constitution.
Later that day, however, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley called again for the UK to immediately lift the threat of direct rule, which he has said would amount to “direct colonialism” and take the territory back to the slavery era.
What’s next
With 43 of the 48 COI reforms now complete and the rest in progress, the final reports from the governor and the elected government will now go to UK Overseas Territories Minister Stephen Doughty along with feedback from more than 600 members of the public and analysis by diplomats at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Mr. Doughty is expected to deliver his verdict by the end of next month after consulting Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
During a Friday press conference, Mr. Wheatley painted a picture of success that was also reflected in the final report his government released to the public on May 6.
“We believe that we have done everything that we have needed to do to be able to see that order in council lifted,” he said. “I believe now it’s time for us to transition past that tool; to have a modern partnership based on mutual respect and trust.”
The premier also called on London to listen to the people of the Virgin Islands.
“This whole entire process has been a process that we have fought very hard to keep democratic,” he said.
Asked if there is a possibility of civil disobedience if the threat of direct rule remains after the June announcement by Britain, the premier said, “It’s my expectation and hope that it is lifted. I am not an advocate for violence or anything like that. I think we have to work together in partnership, and we have to adhere to the values that we all champion. We encourage the UK to have trust in democracy.”
Governor’s report
While the government’s final report is upbeat, the governor’s is also largely positive but more nuanced.
“We are yet to deliver the objectives of the Commission of Inquiry reforms,” states Mr. Pruce’s report, which was released Friday. “This is because the laws which establish the institutions and ways of working are in their infancy. Cabinet had recently agreed a plan for implementing the reforms so that they can result in meaningful benefits.”
This plan, the report adds, will need to be “closely monitored and owned” by the VI government. On Friday, the governor provided a further update.
“At this stage, I see no basis for additional powers for the governor,” he said. “But these are decisions that sit with our elected representatives in the United Kingdom.”
The governor added that his final review will now be considered at the FCDO.
“What it presents is my best assessment from my vantage point of where we stand across the board,” he said. “It will be for the [OT] minister, and I’m sure the foreign minister, David Lammy, to interpret this information alongside the other inputs they will have.”
Remaining reforms
The governor also listed the five COI reforms yet to be fully implemented: measures to pave the way for the option of judge-only trials; a full overhaul of public assistance; vetting of police, customs, prison and immigration officers; changes to immigration procedures; and an update of criminal procedure rules.
Movement on judge-only trials and legal procedures has been delayed due to circumstances beyond the government’s control, such as constitutional implications and the need for approval by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, according to the governor.
The vetting process, he added, began last week with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, and it will be extended soon to prison, customs and immigration officers.
Meanwhile, changes to public assistance are still in the works, and legislation paving the way for immigration reforms recently received the governor’s assent.
‘No tension’
Despite occasionally holding joint press conferences when releasing COI-related information in the past, the governor and premier held separate events on Friday. But both men insisted this was not a sign of antagonism.
“There is absolutely no tension, and I don’t see the press conferences as dueling,” Mr. Wheatley said.
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