Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley confirmed his absence from the Cabinet’s meeting that led to the approval of Bevis Sylvester as chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority Board (BVIHSA).
The revelations come as questions were raised about whether Sylvester’s previous conviction legally disqualifies him from serving.
During a press briefing, Cindy Rosan Jones confronted the Premier with provisions of the BVI Health Services Authority Act governing appointments to the Board.
“Were you in Cabinet on the approval of Bevis Sylvester?” Rosan Jones asked, before pointing out that section 5(6) requires the approving authority to ensure that appointees are fit and proper.
She further highlighted section 5(7), which states that a person is disqualified from appointment as a member of the Board if that person has been convicted of an indictable offence or any offence involving dishonesty.
“The Act does not identify an expiration date on that disqualification,” she told the Premier.
Premier Wheatley immediately separated himself from the Cabinet decision, explaining that he was absent when the appointment was approved.
“I was not in Cabinet at the time, but of course, given what you stated, I think we could do some due diligence just to make sure that all the appointments are compliant with the law,” the Premier responded.
His response raises further questions about the level of due diligence conducted before the recommendation was presented to Cabinet and approved, particularly since the Premier indicated that checks may now be necessary to determine whether the appointment complies with the law.
According to the Cabinet decision, Sylvester was recommended by Minister for Health and Social Development Vincent Wheatley and approved as a member and chairman of the BVIHSA Board for three years, from September 7, 2026, to September 6, 2029.
The Premier was overseas on official business when Cabinet met on September 9. Governor Daniel Pruce chaired the meeting, which was attended by the remaining Cabinet members.
The appointment is subject to approval by the House of Assembly and is therefore not yet final.
Sylvester would receive $1,000 per month as chairman.
Sylvester previously worked as a budget coordinator in the Ministry of Finance. He pleaded guilty to obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception and neglect of duty in connection with a government telecommunications contract and was sentenced to six months in prison.
The conviction was later discussed during his appearance before the Commission of Inquiry.
The revelations come as questions were raised about whether Sylvester’s previous conviction legally disqualifies him from serving.
During a press briefing, Cindy Rosan Jones confronted the Premier with provisions of the BVI Health Services Authority Act governing appointments to the Board.
“Were you in Cabinet on the approval of Bevis Sylvester?” Rosan Jones asked, before pointing out that section 5(6) requires the approving authority to ensure that appointees are fit and proper.
She further highlighted section 5(7), which states that a person is disqualified from appointment as a member of the Board if that person has been convicted of an indictable offence or any offence involving dishonesty.
“The Act does not identify an expiration date on that disqualification,” she told the Premier.
Premier Wheatley immediately separated himself from the Cabinet decision, explaining that he was absent when the appointment was approved.
“I was not in Cabinet at the time, but of course, given what you stated, I think we could do some due diligence just to make sure that all the appointments are compliant with the law,” the Premier responded.
His response raises further questions about the level of due diligence conducted before the recommendation was presented to Cabinet and approved, particularly since the Premier indicated that checks may now be necessary to determine whether the appointment complies with the law.
According to the Cabinet decision, Sylvester was recommended by Minister for Health and Social Development Vincent Wheatley and approved as a member and chairman of the BVIHSA Board for three years, from September 7, 2026, to September 6, 2029.
The Premier was overseas on official business when Cabinet met on September 9. Governor Daniel Pruce chaired the meeting, which was attended by the remaining Cabinet members.
The appointment is subject to approval by the House of Assembly and is therefore not yet final.
Sylvester would receive $1,000 per month as chairman.
Sylvester previously worked as a budget coordinator in the Ministry of Finance. He pleaded guilty to obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception and neglect of duty in connection with a government telecommunications contract and was sentenced to six months in prison.
The conviction was later discussed during his appearance before the Commission of Inquiry.
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