Opposition calls for resignation of premier following arrest in US
This photo, released by the Department of Information and Public Relations of the government of the British Virgin Islands on April 22, shows British Virgin Island Premier Andrew Alturo Fahie.
TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands:
Opposition legislators have called for the resignation of Premier Andrew Fahie following his arrest in the United States of America last week on drug and money-laundering charges.
“These reprehensible actions by a distinct minority are in no way representative of the views and actions of the people of the Virgin Islands,” said Opposition Leader Marlon Penn, flanked by opposition members Julian Fraser, Mark Vanterpool, and Melvin Turnbull.
“We, therefore, call on any public official that knows that they may have violated the public trust to voluntarily demit office out of respect for the people of the Virgin Islands.”
The opposition legislators have urged members of the government to denounce Fahie, saying “the premier’s detainment in the United States and the subsequent release of the commission of inquiry report have brought undesired global attention to what is the most challenging period in our territory’s history”.
Penn said opposition members had discussed as early as last Friday, the government’s immediate disassociation from Premier Fahie’s actions.
The governing Virgin Islands Party (VIP) is now in the process of appointing a new premier, and the members have so far thrown their support behind Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley.
Wheatley, a first-term legislator, said the congress of the VIP has already unanimously appointed him as chairman of the political organisation.
“Efforts are underway to seek the resignation of Honourable Andrew A. Fahie as premier of the Virgin Islands, as this would facilitate the smooth advancement of the process,” Wheatley said during a public broadcast over the weekend.
Fahie as well as the managing director of the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, Oleanvine Pickering-Maynard, and her son Kadeem Maynard, have been charged with conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering.
Fahie is scheduled for a pre-trial detention hearing on Wednesday when the court will determine whether to detain him without bail. He will then undergo a preliminary hearing on May 13.
“We, the members of the Opposition, strongly condemn the actions of Premier Fahie and MD Maynard and similarly denounce the actions of any public official that knowingly and willfully disregarded the responsibilities with which they have been entrusted and oaths of office which they took,” Penn said.
Penn said violators of the public trust do not enjoy their individual or collective support, and stated that the aim of opposition members now is to support actions that will ensure good governance and move swiftly to restore public confidence.