Premier: Communiqué From UK Is ‘Misleading’
The Communiqué issued by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office is “misleading,” Premier Craig Cannonier said in the House of Assembly on Friday [Nov 29].
The topic arose while Opposition questioned the Premier about a report issued by the UK Government after his recent trip to the UK to attend the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council.
The Communiqué was posted on the UK Government’s website with the statement: “The Joint Ministerial Council closed today with the agreement of a joint communiqué which sets out priority issues.”
The politicians were going back and forth about the contents of the Communiqué, and the Premier indicated that it was not a final version, and said that amendments still need to be made. The Opposition then asked if the UK released a draft without the permission of the Overseas Territories.
Audio of part of the exchange in the House of Assembly:
Premier Cannonier was asked by Kim Wilson [PLP] whether the UK was placing misleading information on their website, to which the Premier replied, “As of the 26th the Communiqué is misleading.”
Walter Roban [PLP] then referenced the incident back in June which saw the Premier’s statements not be aligned with the United Kingdom.
Asked by Mr Roban is he would agree this is the second time they are at “cross purposes”, Premier Cannonier said, “I certainly can see how it would be interpreted that way yes.”
Following another trip to the UK in June 2013, the Premier told the media that Bermuda “has not signed any agreement” and neither had the other Overseas Territories.
This was in complete contrast to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement that the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies had signed.
When asked about it that time, the Premier reiterated his statements were accurate, and said Mr Cameron’s comments “concerned” him, and he “made sure the Governor is aware of our discontent with this…”
The Communiqué, which was issued by the UK and the Premier said is misleading, is below: [PDF here]:
Craig is a smart guy. The UK politicians are what they are. They’ll try to slip stuff past you if you’re caught napping or otherwise clueless.
This is going to get interesting
Just like boys will be boys…politicians will be politicians!