Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change. Hon Julian Fraser RA(R3) will be Acting Premier from November 17 to 22, 2024. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is currently away from the Virgin Islands, November 17 to 22, 2024, to attend the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meetings in the United Kingdom. Photo: GIS

Hon Wheatley left the Territory today, Friday, November 15 and will return on November 22, 2024. The JMC is the principal forum for reviewing and implementing the shared strategy for promoting the security and good governance of Overseas Territories, as well as their sustainable economic and social development.

Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), who is currently off island, is expected to return on the weekend. In the interim, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) is Acting Premier from today, November 15 to Sunday, November 17, 2024.

Constitution allows for Hon Rymer to act as Premier

According to a government press release, Hon Rymer’s appointment is in accordance with the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 Section 55 (2) which states, “If both the Premier and the Deputy Premier are expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise another Minister designated by the Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of either the Premier or the Deputy Premier.”

Hon Fraser will assume the role of Acting Premier upon his return to the VI on the evening of Sunday, November 17, 2024.