BVI Premier Responded to Letter by Director of UK OTs

BVI Premier Andrew Fahie has denied claims by Ben Merrick, the Director of British Overseas Territories, that his government caused deterioration of engagements between the UK and the BVI territory.

The UK official representative expressed his disappointment about the administration of Fahie’s government after cancellation of some important meetings, including that with UK minister responsible for Overseas Territories, Lord Tariq Ahmad. In response to the letter which was addressed to the Premier and became public, the Premier confirmed that he and his government have consistently been in contact with the United Kingdom. Fahie also said he believes Merrick’s letter of ‘untrue accusations’ had a purpose to damage his reputation as Premier.

The Premier further said that he and local delegation had met with Lord Ahmad in the Cayman Islands in June 2019, and discussed different areas that they’ve been working on. He noted that they had made it clear to the UK after being elected that the Fahie administration was a new government that needed to do research to ensure it was fully knowledgeable about the loan guarantee, and said that they needed some time to do that.