Caribbean states warn against direct rule of British Virgin Islands

Former colonies condemn retrograde' proposal that UK override local democracy to tackle corruption

Seven Caribbean states have condemned as retrograde" the potential imposition of direct rule from London on the British Virgin Islands (BVI) amid allegations of corruption and the arrest of the former BVI premier last week in a drug-smuggling sting operation.

The British Foreign Office minister Amanda Milling was greeted with street protests on Monday as she met BVI politicians and civil society to discuss the possible move to press ahead with direct rule as recommended by a commission of inquiry report last week.