15 Facts About Cyril Romney

Cyril Brandtford Romney was a British Virgin Islander politician who served as Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands from 1983 to 1986.

Cyril Romney served as a member of the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands from 1979 to 1995.

Cyril Romney was the first British Virgin Islander to hold the post of Financial Secretary, and was a business leader in the Territory and the region.

Cyril Romney lost, but was elected in 1979 as the representative for the Fifth District and became a member of the opposition.

Cyril Romney served a second political term from 1983 to 1986 and was Chief Minister of a coalition government with the United Party led by Willard Wheatley.

In 1986 Cyril Romney's ruling coalition lost power after calling an early election, but he was re-elected and continued to serve on the opposition benches for two more consecutive terms.

Cyril Romney was a permanent justice of the peace, a founding member of the Rotary Club of Tortola and a member of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association.

Cyril Romney had wide ranging commercial interests, including commercial and residential real estate development, and various aspects of the tourism industry.

Cyril Romney was closely involved in the BVI's cruise ship industry; he founded a local travel agency, Travel Plan, in 1969 and a taxi company in 1979.

Cyril Romney purchased one of the Territory's major hotel chains, Prospect Reef, and opened a local franchise of Dolphin Discovery.

Cyril Romney opened the British Virgin Islands franchise of Colombian Emeralds International.

Cyril Romney was never personally implicated, and argued that the day-to-day running of the company was conducted by the manager, Shaun Murphy, who later turned Queen's evidence in relation to the Brink's-Mat bullion robbery.

However Cyril Romney was not awarded the customary OBE given to political leaders in British Overseas Territories by the Queen.

Cyril Romney died on 19 July 2007 in a Florida hospital after a long battle with cancer.

Cyril Romney was survived by his wife, former BVI First Lady Lillian Romney, five daughters, and several grandchildren.