BVI premier dismisses deputy in major Cabinet shake-up

TORTOLA — British Virgin Islands Premier Natalio Wheatley announced Wednesday that he has fired Deputy Premier Lorna Smith

He tapped Opposition member and Third District representative Julian Fraser to replace Smith. Fraser, head of the Progressive United Party and former Virgin Islands Party member, was sworn in by Governor Daniel Pruce before Wheatley’s announcement. Wheatley said the move will help stabilize his government. “This is a necessary change to the composition of the government that provides my administration with political stability and a wealth of knowledge and experience, which will serve us well over the course of the remainder of this House of Assembly,” Wheatley said during a live radio broadcast.

He added, “Fraser brings much to the table as a former Cabinet minister and the House of Assembly’s most senior member today, having served as a parliamentarian for over 25 years. He’s highly qualified to serve as deputy premier, and will be an excellent minister for the environment, natural resources and climate change, having led this ministry previously.” He said that removing Smith wasn’t an easy decision, adding that she would no longer hold any ministerial portfolio. She was also the minister of financial services and trade.