UK to impose direct rule over British Virgin Islands after inquiry finds rampant corruption

Earlier DU thread: British Virgin Islands premier arrested on cocaine charges in US sting operation

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Source: The Guardian

UK to impose direct rule over British Virgin Islands after inquiry finds rampant corruption

In a further twist the islands’ premier has been arrested in a Miami sting operation on suspicion of drug trafficking

Patrick Wintour Diplomatic Editor
Fri 29 Apr 2022 18.39 BST
Last modified on Fri 29 Apr 2022 21.47 BST

Britain is poised to impose a form of direct rule over the British Virgin Islands after the Caribbean territory’s premier was arrested in Miami on suspicion of drug running, and a UK-appointed commission of inquiry found rampant failings in governance.

Andrew Fahie appeared in federal court in Miami on Friday, a day after he was arrested by the US Drug Enforcement Agency in an elaborate sting operation that also snared the chief executive of the BVI port authority and her son.

Hours before his court appearance, the commission of inquiry – launched in 2021 – reported on widespread abuses, including millions of dollars of government funds that were spent each year by politicians and ministries without proper process.

In its highly critical final report, the commission, led by Judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom, recommended that the territory should have its constitution suspended, its elected government dissolved and effectively be ruled from London.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/29/british-virgin-islands-direct-rule-andrew-fahie-drug-arrest

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Related: ‘Head coach wants to play’: the US drug sting that led to BVI premier’s arrest (The Guardian)