Former Speaker of the House of Assembly Julian Willock repeatedly declined to say whether he has formally been hired as a special adviser to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley, despite persistent questioning during the Talking Points radio programme yesterday, June 22.

The issue has been the subject of public discussion since March, when Premier Wheatley confirmed that his office was seeking to engage Willock as a special adviser. At the time, the Premier said no contract had been finalized but acknowledged that discussions were underway.

Three months later, listeners and programme hosts sought clarity on whether the appointment had materialized, particularly given that the position would involve a close adviser to the Premier whose salary would ultimately be funded by taxpayers.

Willock, however, refused to provide a direct answer.

“I will allow the Premier to make his own announcement,” he said.

When pressed repeatedly, he dismissed the matter as insignificant.

“So, this matter of whether I am a consultant with the Premier or not is a non issue. Let the Premier make his announcement, it’s a non issue,” Willock stated.

He also defended his right as a Virgin Islander to work in any role for which he is qualified.

“I am an ancestral Virgin Islander and I can work any place, anywhere in my country and in the private sector,” he said.

The exchange left unanswered the central question posed by hosts and listeners: whether the advisory role publicly discussed by the Premier has become a reality.

The uncertainty surrounding the reported appointment comes at a politically sensitive time for Willock, who has emerged as a candidate for the governing Virgin Islands Party (VIP) heading into the next general election.

Political observers note that candidates seeking public office are often expected to embrace transparency, particularly on matters involving public funds and government appointments. As a result, Willock’s refusal to provide a straightforward answer has generated criticism from some quarters and raised questions about accountability before his campaign has fully begun.

For many voters, the issue extends beyond whether Willock holds a government advisory post. Instead, it touches on broader concerns about openness in government and the public’s right to know how taxpayer-funded positions are filled and who is influencing policy decisions at the highest levels of government.

Calls for transparency have become a recurring theme in Virgin Islands politics since the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report, which highlighted the need for greater accountability, stronger governance practices and increased public trust in institutions.

Willock’s own political history has added to the public interest surrounding the matter.

He served as Speaker of the House of Assembly from 2019 until 2022, a period marked by significant controversy. During his tenure, critics frequently accused him of displaying partisanship while occupying a role traditionally expected to remain politically neutral. His leadership style, management of House debates and highly publicized legal battles with media organizations and commentators often drew public scrutiny and criticism.

Supporters argued that he was defending the integrity of the House and enforcing parliamentary rules, while detractors viewed several of his actions as attempts to stifle criticism and shield the government from accountability.

Following the publication of the Commission of Inquiry report and the subsequent formation of the National Unity Government in 2022, Willock was removed as Speaker amid wider efforts to reform governance structures and restore confidence in public institutions.

Against that backdrop, some members of the public view the unanswered questions surrounding his reported advisory role as a test of the government’s and Willock’s own commitment to transparency and accountability. Others argue that if Willock has indeed been appointed, the public deserves a clear announcement from either the Premier or Willock himself.

For now, however, both men remain silent on the central question, leaving speculation to continue as the Territory moves closer to another election season.