Premier and leader of the National Unity Government Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley has dismissed claims which suggest that the present reform process following the Commission of Inquiry Report is as a result of a coup in the territory.
The premier debunked such claims at a recent press conference as he urged residents to stop spreading such misinformation.
He said it acts as a disservice to the public and described the action as completely irresponsible.
“As we debate reform, let us do so on the basis of factual and accurate information. It is a disservice to the public to share misinformation. I was highly disappointed recently to hear persons on the airwaves just last week saying that the current reform process is the product of a coup here in the Virgin Islands that brought the Government of National Unity to power. This is blatantly false and spreading such a falsehood is completely irresponsible and self-serving,” he stated.
I was elected Chairman of the VIP
Premier Wheatley also explained that he was democratically elected as the new leader of the Virgin Islands Party, following the legal entanglement faced by the former premier Andrew Fahie who is presently in Miami facing charges for drugs and money laundering.
He said, “To be clear, the Virgin Islands Party Congress in early May elected me the Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party. I am the leader of the Virgin Islands Party. It was then confirmed in writing by all of the elected Members of the Virgin Islands Party, all of the elected members of the National Democratic Party and the elected member of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement that they supported me leading as a Premier the Government of National Unity.”
“No coup has occurred in the Virgin Islands, and it is important that persons not spread such falsehoods, which is highly irresponsible, especially by persons in elected office,” the premier further reiterated.
Rumours about no General Elections also false
Dr. Wheatley also took the time to dispel another false allegation against his government, which suggested that they would support not having a General Election in the territory.
Premier Wheatley said such claims are false as he sought to address the rumour.
“Let me take this opportunity to also dispel another falsehood. Recently some persons have publicly stated that the Government of National Unity would support not having a General Election when it is constitutionally due. This is absolutely not true. What we have said is that there will not be an early snap election. There will be a General Election within the constitutionally established period for the election to take place. We of course encourage everyone who is not registered to do so,” he explained.
The premier urged residents to remain united and as one BVI, stating that now is not the time for partisanship.