British Virgin Islands

Fahie, the elected head of government in the British overseas territory, was detained in Miami after agreeing to give agents posing as drug smugglers access to ...

The British Virgin Islands government was already under investigation by the British government for organized crime, corruption, misuse of public funds and cronyism. “And so far, it has shown no proof of corruption in the BVI.” The overseas territory’s top port official Oleanvine Maynard and her son, Kadeem Maynard, were also arrested in the sting operation. The U.K. still oversees its defense and foreign policy — as well as some domestic policy, including internal security — through the governor appointed by the British government. The overseas territory’s governor, John Rankin, convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on the territory late Thursday, and said Deputy Premier Natalio Wheatley will remain acting premier. The overseas territory, a collection of around 60 islands home to about 30,000 people, is largely self-governed.

The Premier of the British Virgin Islands who was appointed by the Queen is held in Miami after being busted for an alleged drug plot.

The British Virgin Islands are a British overseas territory located in the Caribbean. Fahie was appointed the premier of the British Virgin Islands in February 2019 after winning the island’s election. Andrew Fahie is the premier of the British Virgin Islands, after winning the election in 2019.

The island's governor John Rankin ordered the report to investigate "the corruption, abuse of office, and other serious dishonesty" in the British overseas ...

We will then announce a clear path forward." The BVI's governor John Rankin ordered the report to investigate "the corruption, abuse of office, and other serious dishonesty" in the British overseas territory's governance. The island's governor John Rankin ordered the report to investigate "the corruption, abuse of office, and other serious dishonesty" in the British overseas territory's governance.

Andrew Fahie was detained on Thursday at a Miami airport after allegedly telling an undercover agent posing as a drug cartel fixer that he would facilitate ...

At a key meeting held three weeks ago in a plush villa on BVI’s main island of Tortola, it is claimed that Mr Fahie agreed to a 12 per cent share to be split between himself – receiving 10 per cent – and Ms Maynard of the profits from the onward sale of the cocaine in America, allegedly worth a total of $78m (£62m) per consignment. Mr Fahie is claimed to have replied: “I will touch one thing, the money.” The court document said: “Fahie laughed and said [the agent] had thought of everything.” Mr Fahie is said to have additionally complained that he thought the British authorities had been trying for years to remove him from office. The Lebanese intermediary is claimed to have said he also “owned” the managing director of the islands’ port authority, Oleanvine Maynard. Lord Foulkes, a former minister, told BBC News: “The time is now right for the [UK] Government to take some decisive action and bring in direct rule.”

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss issues a statement ahead of the publication of the Commission of Inquiry report into governance in the British Virgin Islands.

It came as the premier of the BVI - Andrew Fahie - was due to appear in a Miami courtroom on Friday, accused of money laundering and conspiring to import ...

It is one of the world's leading offshore tax havens. He will set out next steps (today), including urgent publication of the inquiry’s report,' Ms Truss said on Thursday. 'Anyone involved with bringing dangerous drugs into the United States will be held accountable, no matter their position.' The report was released on Friday - a day later. The recommendation was made by an inquiry commissioned in 2021 by the Queen's representative on the island, Governor John Rankin (pictured), to investigate 'the corruption, abuse of office, and other serious dishonesty' in the territory's governance The recommendation was made by an inquiry commissioned in 2021 by the Queen's representative on the island, Governor John Rankin, to investigate 'the corruption, abuse of office, and other serious dishonesty' in the territory's governance.

Andrew Fahie, 51, was detained in Miami on Thursday over an alleged conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering.

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. “The UK Government is committed to the security and wellbeing of the people of the British Virgin Islands.” On what to do about the current situation in the territory, Sir Gary wrote: “I recommend partial suspension of the Constitution, by the dissolution of the House of Assembly, the cessation of ministerial government and necessary consequential suspension of provisions of the Constitution, for an initial period of two years. “I have instructed the minister for overseas territories to travel to the territory immediately to speak to the Governor and key stakeholders. “The (independent inquiry into the island’s governance) report published today by the Governor shows clearly that substantial legislative and constitutional change is required to restore the standards of governance that the people of the British Virgin Islands are entitled to. She said: “The arrest yesterday of the premier of the British Virgin Islands on charges related to drugs trafficking and money laundering is extremely concerning and underlines the need for urgent action.

Premier and port official charged in US with conspiracy to import cocaine and launder money.

It is also one of the world’s leading offshore tax havens. Fahie and Maynard were to inspect a plane carrying $700,000 that they would receive in exchange for facilitating cocaine shipments through the territory, reported the Herald, citing US authorities. “The arrest yesterday of the premier of the British Virgin Islands on charges related to drugs trafficking and money laundering is extremely concerning and underlines the need for urgent action,” British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

Fahie has been the elected premier of the British Virgin Islands since 2019. The 51-year-old was arrested in Miami, Florida, on Thursday by members of the ...

The 51-year-old was arrested in Miami, Florida, on Thursday by members of the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The premier of the British Virgin Islands has been charged in the US with drug trafficking and money laundering crimes. British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie charged with drug trafficking and money laundering crimes

Publication of the long-delayed report was brought forward after BVI premier Andrew Fahie was arrested and accused of drug trafficking and money laundering ...

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Under Mr Hickinbottom’s recommendations, BVI – a British overseas territory of more than 40 islands in the Caribbean – would have its constitution suspended for up to two years and would be effectively returned under direct rule of London. The governance of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is “appallingly bad” and should be dissolved, a report says after the territory’s premier was arrested on drugs charges.

On Thursday, Premier Andrew Fahie was arrested in the US for alleged drug trafficking and money laundering. The next day, a report said the elected government ...

Leaks of documents known as the "Panama Papers" and "Paradise Papers" revealed the islands to be a popular tax haven. The BVI is a British overseas territory home to more than 35,000 people and made up of more than 40 islands, located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. Ms Truss added that overseas territories form a "core part of the UK family" and the government is "committed to the security and wellbeing of the people of the British Virgin Islands." In a televised statement on Friday, Mr Rankin pledged that his overriding concern would be the best interests of the people of the BVI - "ensuring transparent, honest and open governance". The report, commissioned in 2021 and led by British judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom, described the state of governance in the BVI as "appallingly bad", but is not directly connected to the arrest of the premier. A minister has been sent to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) after its leader was charged with drug smuggling and an inquiry called for a return of UK rule.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said minister for overseas territories Amanda Milling will travel to the territory for talks.

“The UK Government is committed to the security and wellbeing of the people of the British Virgin Islands.” All of this authority would be vested in the Governor. “I have instructed the minister for overseas territories to travel to the territory immediately to speak to the Governor and key stakeholders. “The (independent inquiry into the island’s governance) report published today by the Governor shows clearly that substantial legislative and constitutional change is required to restore the standards of governance that the people of the British Virgin Islands are entitled to. She said: “The arrest yesterday of the premier of the British Virgin Islands on charges related to drugs trafficking and money laundering is extremely concerning and underlines the need for urgent action. “The benefit of representative democracy to the public is the understanding and responsiveness of their elected representatives to their challenges, who also serve as conduits of their views, especially on reforms.”

UK dispatches minister after ex-leader charged with drugs offences and inquiry finds serious governance issues.

Constitutional powers already exist under the constitution that can be exercised if necessary.” “The UK government is committed to the security and wellbeing of the people of the British Virgin Islands.” All of this authority would be vested in the governor. “The [independent inquiry into the island’s governance] report published today by the governor shows clearly that substantial legislative and constitutional change is required to restore the standards of governance that the people of the British Virgin Islands are entitled to. She said: “The arrest yesterday of the premier of the British Virgin Islands on charges related to drugs trafficking and money laundering is extremely concerning and underlines the need for urgent action. “The benefit of representative democracy to the public is the understanding and responsiveness of their elected representatives to their challenges, who also serve as conduits of their views, especially on reforms.”