A letter sent from the Premier’s Office and stamped by the International Affairs Secretariat in the Virgin Islands is said to have been unauthorized. The letter states, “The Office of the Premier of the Virgin Islands presents its compliments to the United States Office of International Affairs and has the honor to confirm that Honorable Andrew A. Fahie is currently the duly elected appointed constitutional Premier of the Virgin Islands. Enclosed please find supporting documentation.”
The unauthorized letter which is alleged to have been written and released by a Senior Governor Official in the Premier’s office further said, “The office of the Premier of the Virgin Islands hereby further confirms that it is the official position of the Government of the Virgin Islands that the Hon. Andrew A. Fahie, as the most Senior member of the cabinet, holds high ranking office in the Virgin Islands and on that basis possess immunity as recognized by the international and domestic law, akin to Heads of Government of Immunity.”
The letter continued, “The Office of the Premier of the Virgin Islands hereby confirms that the Hon. Andrew A. Fahie, possessed such immunity at the time of his arrest by U.S law enforcement in the Southern District of Florida on April 28th, 2022 and that he continues to possess such immunity. We further confirm that the Hon. Andrew A. Fahie has not waived such immunity.”
False Request
Falsely representing the Premier’s Office and the Government of the Virgin Islands, the unauthorized letter continued by stating, “The Office of the Premier of the Virgin Islands hereby request on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands the immediate and unconditional release of the Hon. Andrew A. Fahie from U.S. custody and his immediate return and free passage to the Virgin Islands. The Office of the Premier of the Virgin Islands avails itself the opportunity to renew to the United States Department of Justice the assurance of its highest consideration.”
Since the shocking release of this unauthorized letter, Acting Premier Dr. Hon. Natalio Wheatley has publicly denounced the unauthorized letter in an official press statement. “Both the Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt-Igew and I were unaware of the correspondence dated the 3rd of May.” At the time, I was in the House of Assembly and the Permanent Secretary was in her office carrying out her normal functions.”
Acting Premier Wheatley continued by saying, “It appears that the publication of the letter was the action by a rouge public officer who acted without authorization or the knowledge of myself as acting Premier or the Permanent Secretary. The content of this letter regarding diplomatic immunity for Hon. Fahie does not reflect the position of the Premier’s Office or the Government of the Virgin Islands.”
The question is, who is responsible for such blatant action and disregard to public office? What will the ramifications of such actions be?
Permanent Secretary Carolyn O’Neal-Morton is said to be presently in discussions concerning the incident. More to come on the story.