London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jul 13, 2026

BVI Premier Expressly Denies Drug Involvement

BVI Premier Expressly Denies Drug Involvement

Premier of the British Virgin Islands Hon. Andrew Fahie, has vehemently denied being involved in drug running, while accusing former governor Augustus Jasper of pulling out all the stops to sully not only his name, but also that of the entire British Overseas Territory.
The BVI is now on edge, awaiting the result and recommendation of a commission of inquiry into to accusations of government mismanagement. The result is slated for January 2022.
In addition to being accused of mismanaging the country, Fahie has also been accused of dealing in cocaine trafficking, a charge vigorously dismissed as a witch-hunt hatched by the ex-governor.

The BVI, even before Fahie’s ascendancy to power, has been long tasked with the struggle to shake suspicions that it's becoming a hub for the cocaine trade out of South America. Outside of anecdotes, so far, no one has come up with tangible evidence to suggest the territory has become a drug-trafficking hub.

Outside of one incident in 2020, when 2.35 tonnes of cocaine said to worth about $250 million were discovered, leading to the arrest of a police officer, the country’s accusers were yet to identify a trend.

Fahie has rejected claims of collusion with drug smuggling, accusing ex-governor Jaspert of inciting such allegations.

He said the former governor needed to give the people of the Virgin Islands an apology instead of establishing a smear campaign against him, by slinging mud on the wall, hoping something sticks.

In the meantime, Fahie has a much more favorable view of current governor, John Rankin, over his predecessor. Rankinreports to Overseas Territories Minister Amanda Milling and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, whose Foreign Office is supporting the corruption investigation.

He was quoted by the Caribbean News Global as saying: "The British government has put in place a governor who is responsible in his speech, experienced and respectful in the way he carries out his duties. "That shows a step in the right direction."

The practicing Methodist and former high-school assistant principal, who boasts about playing the organ during Sunday service in the churches on the islands he governs, stated that his government, like others before him, is not perfect, but sees no other administrations committed as his, to reform the public sector and put it on an efficient path.

Fahie concedes there were some “deficiencies” and potential "areas of improvement" in the administration of the BVI. Those, he said, include the frequent awarding of public contracts without open tenders; opaque recruitment policies to public office; and the generally poor state of record-keeping and accountability for official decisions.

However, he hastened to state that his government was making every effort to fill those breaches, pointing to a plethora of reforms set in motion under his watch, including a code of conduct for elected representatives, as well as transparency and freedom of information measures. Those measures, he noted, serve as evidence that he's committed to improving the standing of the country.

Some regional journalists and political commentators believe the real issue for the Fahie administration being forced into the grinder has little or even anything to do with corruption. Some believe the very real issue is one of power and control of the territories.

Some commentators declared that “Jaspert wanted Fahie and his government to take a back seat and let him run the country similar to what had happened in other Overseas Territories such as Turks and Caicos, and when that did not happen a plot to take over the BVI government through a COI was hatched.”

“If left up to Jaspert and Commissioner Gary Hickinbottom, our people would starve,” the Caribbean News Global quoted one of its sources as saying.

A political pundit argued that such constant questioning and interference by the governor was one of the measures that led to a breakdown in the relationship between the governor and Fahie. And as a result, a campaign was launched to smear his administration.

It is the belief of many in the BVI that the commission of inquiry came about because Jaspert having the constitutional upper hand on the premier, detailed a long list of alleged abuses to the foreign secretary who took Jaspert’s word and called for a commission after Fahie rebuffed his attempts at an internal takeover.

Some declared that Fahie or the local government was never asked for their side of the story by the British government or Dominic Raab the foreign secretary before calling a Commission of Inquiry, which they deemed flies in the face of good governance, transparency and fairness. But more importantly against the stated partnership which the UK foreign office espouses with her territories.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Offers Condolences Following Death of Qatar’s Father Amir
UK Regional Innovation Policy Focuses on Research Clusters Across Scotland, Wales, and Northern England
UK Corporate Transparency Rules Set to Become More Strict Under Modern Slavery Reform Plans
UK Civil Service Estate Strategy Shifts Government Activity Away From London
UK Strengthens National Security Powers Through New Threat Designations
Greater Manchester Police Conduct Drink and Drug Driving Operations After Football Events
UK Government Advances Darlington Economic Campus With Construction Milestone
UK Authorities Increase Football-Related Security Operations After Tournament Fixtures
UK Invests Fifty-One Million Pounds in National Cryogenics Facility and Regional Innovation Hubs
UK Moves Toward Tougher Modern Slavery Reporting Rules With Corporate Penalties
UK Government Reports Forty-Three Million Pounds in Savings From Office Estate Reform
UK Government Expands Civil Service Regional Strategy With Manchester and Darlington Campus Projects
UK Designates Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as National Security Threat
United Kingdom Financial Markets Monitor Business Response to Economic Policy Changes
Scottish Renewable Energy Expansion Highlights Need for Faster Grid Development
Wales and Regions Strengthen Focus on Economic Development Through Tourism and Investment
Retail Industry Warns High Street Businesses Remain Under Pressure
Police Chiefs Highlight Growing Challenges Managing Protests and Public Order
Agriculture Leaders Seek Clarity on Post-Brexit Farming Support and Environmental Rules
Transport Unions Warn of Further Industrial Action Over Pay and Working Conditions
Welsh Tourism Sector Reports Strong Growth Driven by Domestic and International Visitors
National Infrastructure Review Gains Support as Leaders Seek Faster Project Delivery
Financial Markets Assess Impact of United Kingdom Corporate Tax Policy Changes
Northern Ireland Assembly Debates Cross-Border Trade and Infrastructure Cooperation Plans
Government Opens Consultations on Housing Reform and Planning System Changes
Scottish Government Faces Pressure to Accelerate Offshore Wind and Grid Expansion
National Energy System Operator Warns Grid Investment Is Needed for Future Electricity Demand Growth
United Kingdom Research Council Invests in Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology Innovation Hubs
United Kingdom Expands Oversight of Skilled Worker Visa Sponsors Amid Migration Debate
Cross-Party MPs Call for National Infrastructure Strategy Review to Accelerate Economic Growth
Prime Minister Announces One Billion Pound NHS Funding Package Ahead of Winter Pressures
Bank of England Signals Cautious Approach to Interest Rates as Inflation Remains Above Forecasts
World Cup Visitors Turn American Big-Box Stores Into Souvenir Stops
Netflix Weighs Always-On Channels, Bundles and Short-Form Video
Passenger Is Pulled Partly Outside Ryanair Jet After Window Fails Mid-Flight
Innovation-led growth strategy
Public service reform pressure
Defence and industrial security
Labour leadership transition and economic reset
Northern England Pushes for Greater Influence in Britain’s Future Economic Model
UK Technology Strategy Focuses on Life Sciences, Digital Innovation and Research Investment
Britain and United States Maintain Focus on Pharmaceuticals Cooperation and Industrial Growth
UK Public Services Face Continued Pressure as Government Promises Visible Improvements
Regional Economic Power Becomes Key Theme in Britain’s Next Political Phase
Britain Expands Support for Small Businesses as Firms Seek Better Access to Finance
UK Economy Remains Central Political Challenge as Cost of Living and Growth Concerns Persist
National Health Service Introduces New Workplace Reviews to Improve Conditions for Healthcare Staff
UK Life Sciences Sector Secures More Than Three Billion Pounds in Investment to Support Innovation
Britain Strengthens Defence Strategy as Security Concerns Reshape Military and Industrial Policy
Andy Burnham Promises Stronger UK Defence Industry and Expanded Domestic Production
×