A longstanding leader of the British Virgin Islands, Ralph O’Neal, died yesterday.

He was 85.

Mr Burt, the Premier, said Mr O’Neal, who served as the UK Overseas Territory’s premier from 2007 to 2011, was BVI’s longest serving elected representative.

He added: “Ralph O’Neal was a powerful voice on behalf of the people of the British Virgin Islands.

“He was a leading Caribbean statesman who commanded great respect among the leaders of the Overseas Territories.”

Mr O’Neal studied economics at Oxford University in England and served BVI as leader of the opposition, chief minister and premier.

Mr Burt said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda I send our thoughts and prayers to his family, his political colleagues and to the people of the BVI In whose service he spent so much of his life.”

Mr O’Neal was first appointed Chief Minister, which later became the Premier, in 1995.

The BVI House of Assembly voted to name the Government’s Central Administration Complex in his honour last month.