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Hon Lorna Smith hits back @ Premier over firing

-publishes official response to her termination
Opposition Member Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) has shared via her Facebook page today, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, her official response to her termination notice as Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade in late October 2024. Photo: Facebook/Lorna Creque Smith
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in announcing the changes to the government and Cabinet said Hon Smith did not give him the “confidence” that she would remain with his administration for the duration of this term, leaving “room for uncertainty, and political instability, which we cannot afford at this time.” Photo: Office of the Premier
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in announcing the changes to the government and Cabinet said Hon Smith did not give him the “confidence” that she would remain with his administration for the duration of this term, leaving “room for uncertainty, and political instability, which we cannot afford at this time.” Photo: Office of the Premier
Third District Representative and Chairman of the Progressive United Party (PU) Hon Julian Fraser RA was sworn in as Deputy Premier by Governor Daniel Pruce on October 23, 2024. Photo: GIS
Third District Representative and Chairman of the Progressive United Party (PU) Hon Julian Fraser RA was sworn in as Deputy Premier by Governor Daniel Pruce on October 23, 2024. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Opposition Member Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) has shared via her Facebook page today, Wednesday, November 13, 2024, her official response to her termination notice as Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade in late October 2024.

Hon Smith said in the post, “In light of recent public statements made by the Premier of the Virgin Islands concerning my termination, I believe it is essential to provide a full and accurate account of the circumstances surrounding this matter. The Premier’s remarks, while addressing his perspective, do not fully capture the facts or context of the situation.”

Refuting Premier’s reasons for her firing

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in announcing the changes to the government and Cabinet said Hon Smith did not give him the “confidence” that she would remain with his administration for the duration of this term, leaving “room for uncertainty, and political instability, which we cannot afford at this time.”

Hon Smith has publicly dismissed the Premier’s reasoning for her firing during a press conference called shortly after her dismissal saying they have “no merit”.

According to the letter dated October 28, 2024, addressed to Premier Wheatley and copied to Governor Daniel Pruce, Hon Smith said, “The House represents democracy at work. It should never be used as a mechanism by which a Premier found wanting can choose to ignore the voice of the people, as expressed through a no confidence vote of the members of the House and remain in power.”

She added that though she was uncertain on October 14, 2024, as to how she would vote she did indicate on the morning of October 16, 2024, that “I would stand with you in the interest of stability for the country”.

Offered ministries as Junior Minister

According to Hon Smith’s letter following her public dismissal Premier Wheatley phoned her offering her the portfolios of Financial Services, Labour and Trade as a Junior Minister which she declined.

“[It is] clear that you still believe me to be the best, most appropriate, and most experienced person for those positions, and that continuity in those roles is important for the success of the initiatives underway in those ministries,” she wrote in her response.

The former government minister also said this offer also makes it clear her dismissal had nothing to do with her performance but “everything to do with your increasingly tenuous grip on power and support within Cabinet”.

She also shared that in her view, the Ministries of Financial Services, Labour and Trade are of the highest importance and therefore “cannot belong with a junior ministerial position” as they are vital to the VI’s economy representing sixty percent of the Territory’s income.

Her third reason for declining the Premier’s offer to remain in his Cabinet as a Junior Minister she revealed was because she could no longer support Dr. Wheatley as Premier due to his recent actions.

When contacted by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) Premier Wheatley said he had no comment on the matter. 

See link below to related article

Premier suggests Hon Smith was fired because she was likely to cross the floor | Virgin Islands News Online

27 Responses to “Hon Lorna Smith hits back @ Premier over firing”

  • Wannabe (13/11/2024, 12:56) Like (58) Dislike (22) Reply
    Is Wheatley a wannabe dictator???
    • Dick (13/11/2024, 13:51) Like (16) Dislike (18) Reply
      No I think she is.
    • I see drama coming (13/11/2024, 14:11) Like (24) Dislike (15) Reply
      Premier, Lorna is going to get you and Fraser good. You are going to learn when you think you can mess with A WOMAN because of power. A woman can bring a man down no matter who you are or what you have. FYI, WOMEN GO FOR THE JUGULAR.
      • LOL (13/11/2024, 16:17) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
        Delilah at her best
      • @I see drama coming (13/11/2024, 17:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I see the drama coming as well. A woman can be a man’s best friend but will turn cold blooded if you cross her. Yeah a woman goes for the jugular if you cross her.
    • Yep yep yep (13/11/2024, 14:18) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
      That he is, he is mostly for HIMSELF and not the PEOPLE!
    • PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING (13/11/2024, 18:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      He continues to prove his IGNORANCE!!

      “According to Hon Smith’s letter following her public dismissal Premier Wheatley phoned her offering her the portfolios of Financial Services, Labour and Trade as a Junior Minister which she declined.

      “[It is] clear that you still believe me to be the best, most appropriate, and most experienced person for those positions, and that continuity in those roles is important for the success of the initiatives underway in those ministries,” she wrote in her response.

      The former government minister also said this offer also makes it clear her dismissal had nothing to do with her performance but “everything to do with your increasingly tenuous grip on power and support within Cabinet”.

      She also shared that in her view, the Ministries of Financial Services, Labour and Trade are of the highest importance and therefore “cannot belong with a junior ministerial position” as they are vital to the VI’s economy representing sixty percent of the Territory’s income.“
  • ok (13/11/2024, 13:08) Like (17) Dislike (8) Reply
    You jumped ship now you got kicked off stop balling and keep it moving
    No one cares to hear the truth just keep it moving you yourself have not been truthful and now keep balling balling move on. Regardless of what he said the point is he does not want to work with you. Focus on that not what he said
  • Strike Out (13/11/2024, 13:26) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Y'all better make sure y'all generators working because there will be a Electricity STRIKE as the clock turns.
  • Pitchfork Trust (13/11/2024, 13:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    You allowed Pitchfork Nick to make those employees position redundant and claim automation when nothing in that company is automated, a little investigation would’ve gone a long way.

    Merry Christmas, enjoy your gift!
  • jack (13/11/2024, 14:09) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder how much Wheatley getting from the project he give to his brother down Hodges creek,as I could they are changing working until they find the right person to use the machine that means, the contract were sign to a person who has no experience in building road..
  • WELP (13/11/2024, 14:22) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Wanna be or full blown
  • ok (13/11/2024, 14:23) Like (11) Dislike (8) Reply
    So according to what she stated there she too was power hungry, she was offered a junior minister job with big responsibility and she refused to accept that offer.
  • Lorna Tom (13/11/2024, 14:55) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    Firing Hon. Smith, who possesses extensive knowledge of the country’s financial systems, could have significant negative consequences. Her expertise is invaluable, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Instead of termination, they government should consider leveraging her skills to address financial challenges and implement effective strategies. Retaining Hon. Smith would ensure continuity and stability, allowing the government to benefit from her insights and experience while fostering more informed decision-making process in the BVI economic matters and I leave it there.
    • @Lorna Tom (13/11/2024, 18:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      That was a big mistake firing Lorna. Fraser was the one behind everything. Premier, Fraser the snake is going to run you out the Premier seat. He used you to get the Premier seat. One more seat to go. You crawl before you walk, RIGHT?
  • Quiet Warrior (13/11/2024, 15:24) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hon Lorna Hodge Creque Smith, you jump ship minutes after poll closed and results were announced and now you were planning jump ship but got trapped between jumping and got your ass canned. Give it a rest and cart your rass. It seems in the Premier’s view, he lost confidence and trust in you and can you, which he had the power to do. See how it feels now with dubious, Delilaish behaviour. Stop the media w….e brahavior. No one should trust you with a 100 metre pole. Ah yu lawd ( sound familiar) take a chill pill . You got canned.
  • No Confidence (13/11/2024, 16:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    "can choose to ignore the voice of the people, as expressed through a no confidence vote of the members of the House and remain in power."

    the "voice of the people"

    as expressed through the house of representatives

    laughable. I have nothing against Hon. Smith but that statement is ironic.

    Let's have the people then vote for the Premiership then. and let the people vote for no confidence. Start the process on electronic/mobile voting. It will be simple.
  • Take the job offer Lorna (13/11/2024, 16:20) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Country over self, remember?
    • @ Take the job offer Lorna (13/11/2024, 18:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      She did the right thing!

      This fellow trying to put her in a Junior Minister position to manage our main economic pillar…you know how that looks for the BVI???!?!!

      Imagine her going away to speak on financial services as a Junior Minister…stand for something or you’ll fall for anything!!!!!!!!
  • my view (13/11/2024, 16:22) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    80% of you in HOA are power hungry. Lorna you were doing a great Job but you also were power hungry. All of you need to heal, stop hunting each other like Tom and Jerry forgive each other and move on. We need all hands to work togther to move this place forward. Stop using past errors to hunt each other. stop this greediness of contract sharing and be honest with the people. You can not please everybody. Were there is no vision the people perish. Learn from late Hon Lavity Stoutt experience. Not everyone was in support with him when he decided he wants to.set up s college here but yet he stay focused and made it happen today we are benefiting from it. stop hunting each other let go and let work togther BVI need an upgrade in all sector. It Time to Work and stop the manipulation.
  • Old time saying (13/11/2024, 16:34) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Whatever starts wrong WILL end wrong.
  • Thing is (13/11/2024, 18:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lorna have way more experience, knowledgeable and versed than Wheatley and Fraser. Wheatley calls his brother who works for the UN for answers and what to do. For real, she is going to crush Wheatley and Fraser.
  • resident (13/11/2024, 18:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    she got outplayed, showande was several moves ahead, i honestly never thought he was capable of being so shrewd, the man is surprising all of us, if he can get our stuff fixed he will win again easily
  • no way (13/11/2024, 19:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Time to stop the TiT r TaT SOSo %^&&*#$.

  • Yeh (13/11/2024, 19:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A woman’s scorn.
  • kkk (13/11/2024, 20:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    &^$&% got fired and crying she 4got the game shes in

  • RedStorm (13/11/2024, 20:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Like trump I like loyalty


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