Natalio Wheatley sworn in as BVI Premier after Fahie's drug arrest in Miami
Natalio Wheatley has been sworn in as Premier of the British Virgin Islands after Andrew Fahie was removed following his arrest on US drug charges.
New BVI Premier takes office as Fahie faces cocaine smuggling charges in the US
Natalio Wheatley was sworn in as Premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) on Thursday, aljazeera.com reports, days after his predecessor Andrew Fahie was arrested at Miami airport on drug trafficking charges.
Governor John Rankin, Queen Elizabeth II's representative and the territory's ultimate executive authority, revoked Fahie's mandate following a no-confidence vote in the House of Assembly. Wheatley, the former deputy premier, will also serve as finance minister.
"It is my hope that this day will be remembered as the day we began a new era of democratic governance," Wheatley said at the ceremony. He described his appointment as "another important and necessary step in renewing our cherished democracy and reforming our institutions."
Rankin pledged to "work together in partnership" with Wheatley to improve the administration of the islands.
Fahie arrested on cocaine smuggling allegations
Fahie, 51, was detained at Miami airport alongside Oleanvine Maynard, managing director of the territory's Ports Authority. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) says Fahie, in recorded meetings with a confidential source from the Drug Enforcement Administration, agreed to help smuggle cocaine through the territory in exchange for a share of the proceeds. If convicted, he faces a minimum of nearly 20 years in prison.
His lawyer has indicated he intends to plead not guilty when brought before a court later this month, and has argued for his release on the grounds of diplomatic immunity by virtue of his role as elected leader of the BVI. The DOJ rejected that argument, stating no such immunity exists because the BVI is not a sovereign nation.
Corruption inquiry adds pressure
Fahie's arrest came against a backdrop of an already troubled political landscape. A commission of inquiry last week concluded that the territory's elected government should be dissolved and its constitution suspended for two years due to systematic dishonesty, effectively returning the BVI to direct rule from the United Kingdom.
The commission found that millions of dollars in state funds were being spent without proper processes and that there was widespread abuse in appointments. The BVI is one of the world's leading offshore tax havens and currently faces intense scrutiny over corruption.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Fahie's detention demonstrated the importance of the ongoing investigation and the need for "urgent action," although she noted the arrest was not directly linked to the commission's report.
Wheatley has firmly opposed a return to direct rule from London, calling it unacceptable and warning it would undermine progress made by generations of islanders since the establishment of a local legislative body in 1950. Protests have also been staged on the islands against the prospect of London retaking control.
Source: Google News VG — Crime