British Virgin Islands agrees to reforms, avoiding UK rule for now

A man joins dozens of activists at a rally calling for the British overseas territory to retain its autonomy, following a report by a commission of inquiry that said it should be governed directly from London, in Road Town, British Virgin Islands May 11, 2022. REUTERS/Stringer

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Wednesday said it had agreed a comprehensive plan to reform the governance of the British Virgin Islands without direct rule from London at this stage after an official report found systemic dishonesty in the British overseas territory.

While an inquiry in April had recommended the BVI should have its constitution suspended, its elected government dissolved and effectively be ruled from London, Britain said it wanted to give a new government a chance to implement reforms.