Finance Minister Updates On His Visit To The UK

December 5, 2014

The UK Government “told the world” that they would ensure that the UK and its Territories would create a publicly accessible central register of Beneficial Owners of companies, which was done without prior consultation with the Territories, Minister of Finance Bob Richards said today [Dec 5] in the House of Assembly

The Minister was speaking about his recent visit to the UK to participate in the 2014 Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council, during which he was accompanied by the Secretary to the Cabinet, and guided by Bermuda’s UK Representative, Ms. Kimberley Durrant.

Minister Richards said, “The Joint Ministerial Council brings the leaders of the UK’s Overseas Territories to London annually to discuss areas of mutual concern with relevant UK Ministers.

“Notwithstanding the good advanced work of the technical teams, we did not arrive in London with an agreed Joint Communique. Major issues remained outstanding, including self-determination, repatriation of Passports, Rights of the Child, Rights of the OTs within international bodies such as the Commonwealth, and most importantly to us, Beneficial Ownership.

“By late Wednesday evening there was grave concern that the JMC would conclude without agreement on the issues, an unprecedented occurrence. The defining issue for most of us, particularly those with economies anchored in financial services, was Beneficial Ownership.

“I must commend my fellow OT Leaders for their resolve to not agree even in the face of concerted UK pressure. This issue is so critical, Leaders were prepared to leave without agreement rather than concede to the position of the UK.

“The UK Government has told the world that in his effort to ensure that British companies are not engaged in illegal financial transactions that would support corruption, money laundering and terrorism, he would ensure that the UK, and its Territories, would create a publicly accessible central register of Beneficial Owners of companies incorporated in the UK and its Territories.

“This was done without prior consultation with the Territories and without an appreciation of the steps already taken by them,” added the Minister.

“There are two essential points of disagreement. First, the UK is insisting on each Territory creating a central register and is not willing to consider other means to achieve the same end. Secondly, the UK is insisting on that register being automatically open to the public. Each Territory has undertaken public consultation on this matter and recognizes that these two points would see the end of our financial services sectors.

“While we were able to reach agreement on the other matters save one, where a Territory has requested a further amendment, we have not reached agreement on Beneficial Ownership. However, we agreed that our teams would continue discussions, and that we would meet again in February, hopefully to conclude the matter.

“I must clarify that The UK is apparently comfortable with Bermuda’s position. We have had a central register for over 70 years and its data is available to proper authorities. However, some of our fellow Territories are not in the same position as us. We have stated our case publicly, including our position that our Register should not be made public.

“There are many nations that would be happy to see the offshore financial centres simply disappear, and three of the leading centres are UK Overseas Territories.

“The international media have a wide reach and we must continually fend off attacks against our economic wellbeing and our reputation by repeating our advantages and differentiating ourselves from other jurisdictions.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report on my recent visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 2014 Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. I was accompanied by the Secretary to the Cabinet, and ably guided by Bermuda’s UK Representative, Ms. Kimberley Durrant. The JMC was preceded by the annual meeting of the UK Overseas Territories Association, at which Ascension Islands were formally admitted as a member.

Mr. Speaker, it had been intended that the Honourable Premier would lead our delegation, but, as we all know, he was invited to New York City by the America’s Cup Event Authority to hear, first hand, whether or not Bermuda’s bid to host the 35th America’s Cup was successful.

Mr. Speaker, as every Bermudian is now aware, we were successful, and the Premier proudly accepted the privilege on behalf of Bermuda, and welcomed the Cup to our shores this week.

Mr. Speaker, the Joint Ministerial Council brings the leaders of the UK’s Overseas Territories to London annually to discuss areas of mutual concern with relevant UK Ministers. This was the first JMC for the new Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories, James Duddridge.

Our sessions focused on Promoting Economic Development and Prosperity, Delivering Security, the Contribution of the Environment to Economic Prosperity, Migration, Passports and Border Security, and Sustainable Health Services. Leaders also had an opportunity to engage the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee.

In keeping with the aims of the JMC to encourage dialogue between OT Leaders and relevant Ministers, Leaders were able to engage David Gauke, Financial Secretary to the Treasury; Mark Francois, Minister for the Armed Forces; Lord de Mauley, Minister of Natural Environment and Science; along with their senior technical officers. A highlight was a visit to the House of Commons to observe Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Mr. Speaker, you might think that on occasion you have difficulty bringing Members to order, but just imagine the lot of your counterpart, who has to do so without the benefit of a pounding gavel!

As is the norm for such summits, technical teams from the OTs and the UK work assiduously in advance of the meetings, to craft a Joint Communiqué setting out the points of agreement reached between the parties. For the OTs, their respective London Office Representatives work closely with each other and their respective Leaders to ensure that the interests of each Territory are protected.

In this regard I wish to commend Ms. Kimberley Durrant, our London Office Representative, for her skillful guidance throughout the week. She has developed a keen understanding of the nuances, processes and relationships required to master our engagement with the UK. Her leadership was evident and acclaimed by her colleagues. Without a doubt, Bermuda is seen as the Territory to follow.

I am satisfied that our London Office is not only valuable, but necessary.

Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding the good advanced work of the technical teams, we did not arrive in London with an agreed Joint Communique. Major issues remained outstanding, including self-determination, repatriation of Passports, Rights of the Child, Rights of the OTs within international bodies such as the Commonwealth, and most importantly to us, Beneficial Ownership.

By late Wednesday evening there was grave concern that the JMC would conclude without agreement on the issues, an unprecedented occurrence. The defining issue for most of us, particularly those with economies anchored in financial services, was Beneficial Ownership. I must commend my fellow OT Leaders for their resolve to not agree even in the face of concerted UK pressure. This issue is so critical, Leaders were prepared to leave without agreement rather than concede to the position of the UK.

Essentially, Mr. Speaker, the UK Government has told the world that in his effort to ensure that British companies are not engaged in illegal financial transactions that would support corruption, money laundering and terrorism, he would ensure that the UK, and its Territories, would create a publicly accessible central register of Beneficial Owners of companies incorporated in the UK and its Territories.

This was done without prior consultation with the Territories and without an appreciation of the steps already taken by them.

Mr. Speaker, there are two essential points of disagreement. First, the UK is insisting on each Territory creating a central register and is not willing to consider other means to achieve the same end. Secondly, the UK is insisting on that register being automatically open to the public. Each Territory has undertaken public consultation on this matter and recognizes that these two points would see the end of our financial services sectors.

While we were able to reach agreement on the other matters save one, where a Territory has requested a further amendment, we have not reached agreement on Beneficial Ownership. However, we agreed that our teams would continue discussions, and that we would meet again in February, hopefully to conclude the matter.

Mr. Speaker, I must clarify that The UK is apparently comfortable with Bermuda’s position. We have had a central register for over 70 years and its data is available to proper authorities. However, some of our fellow Territories are not in the same position as us. We have stated our case publicly, including our position that our Register should not be made public.

Mr. Speaker, we did not confine ourselves to the JMC negotiations; Bermuda uses these occasions to conduct as much business as possible. This visit was no exception. In addition to the formal JMC activities, we also conducted a number of interviews with international print and broadcast media, and met with a number of business leaders who have an interest in conducting business in Bermuda.

It is critical that we continue to extol the benefits and value proposition of Bermuda.

There are many nations that would be happy to see the offshore financial centres simply disappear, and three of the leading centres are UK Overseas Territories. The international media have a wide reach and we must continually fend off attacks against our economic wellbeing and our reputation by repeating our advantages and differentiating ourselves from other jurisdictions.

Thank You, Mr. Speaker.

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Comments (12)

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  1. ellasinestra says:

    Would this be a subject that would influence a new discussion for independence?

    • Sammy says:

      I sorta see what you mean. The brits have screwed up their economy with all their giveaways (NHS, welfare for non-Brits and council housing etc) and they have run out of money and now want to go after the previously untouchable regions (soft targets). They want to drag everybody else down with them (sounds familiar?) If they force this legislation down our throats then the only way to avoid it would be to tell the Brits to “V”. I am NOT in favour of independence, but if this were to become law then IB (as we know it) could possibly close their doors.

  2. swing voter says:

    Good work uncle Bob!

  3. Coffee says:

    I am satisfied that our London Office is not only valuable, but necessary. Thanks PLP .
    Bob take us to independence ! Status applications would go down … International business would increase and Bermuda wouldn’t have to answer to anyone but ourselves .

  4. Terry says:

    Amazing.
    Anything related to improvement and stability no one comments.
    Let me park this red coke truck…………………..

  5. Alvin Williams says:

    As long as the British have their man sitting at the top of the hill in Pembroke; whose sole role is to look out for his country’s interests; than Bermuda’s interests will ever be subject to a British veto.We will not have it both ways and one of these days this reality will brought home to us as a country.

  6. Terry says:

    Thank you Alvin.
    Now call your cousin

  7. BritsWhoPayTheirTaxes says:

    Does the London Office pay taxes to HMRC?

    HMRC should run an audit.

    If not, they hould be declared persona non gratia and close it down.

  8. Bermuda123 says:

    Well done Bob. Taken a courageous stand but leaving the door open for the UK to amend their position without embarrassing themselves (which hopefully they will). Good statesmanship.

  9. sebring says:

    we are screwed either way ! thanks to the plp we can not even consider independence !next time take Bean and Burt with you Bob at least will get a good laugh before we are put down!

  10. Raymond Ray says:

    Another thought for today:
    “A belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness”. -Joseph Conrad, novelist (1857-1924)
    I don’t believe it be wise for the One Bermuda Alliance, (Minister Bob Richards) to drag any Progressive Labour Party representatives over to England nor anyplace else for that matter to join him/them while they’re defending our Island