Andrew Murdoch Appointed As New Governor
Andrew Murdoch has been appointed as the new Governor of Bermuda, and will take up the role in January 2025.
A spokesperson said, “Mr Andrew Murdoch has been appointed Governor of Bermuda in succession to Ms Rena Lalgie. Mr Murdoch will take up his appointment during January 2025.”
Mr Murdoch has said “I am incredibly honoured to be appointed as Governor of Bermuda. Through the exercise of my duties, I am committed to serving the people and promoting and strengthening Bermuda’s reputation, including through maintaining the rule of law. Underpinned by its mature legal and regulatory jurisdiction the island is a role model, including its world class financial sector.
“This unique archipelago has a rich history, vibrant culture and a strong democracy. Working with the elected Government, I will be dedicated to maintaining the island’s well-earned reputation as a beautiful, safe and stable place to live and work, where individuals and businesses can thrive. I look forward to getting to know and supporting all the island’s communities, charities and other good causes, and becoming part of Bermudian life.”
His career experience includes:
- 2016 to present FCDO, Legal Director and Director of Ocean Policy
- 2015 to 2016 FCO, Deputy Director, International Institutions and Security Policy, Legal Directorate
- 2011 to 2014 FCO, Senior Assistant Legal Adviser, International Institutions and Security Policy, Legal Directorate
- 2009 to 2011 Royal Navy, Commander, Head of Operations, Directorate of Naval Legal Services
- 2008 to 2009 Royal Navy, Commander, Coalition Maritime Force Legal Adviser, Bahrain
- 2006 to 2008 Royal Navy, Lieutenant Commander/Commander, Deputy and then Fleet Legal Adviser
- 2004 to 2005 Royal Navy, Lieutenant Commander, Higher Authority Legal Adviser
- 2003 to 2004 Royal Navy, Lieutenant Commander, Logistics Officer HMS YORK
- 2001 to 2002 Royal Navy, Lieutenant, Assistant Chief Naval Judge Advocate
- 1998 to 2001 Royal Navy, Lieutenant, Legal Training as Barrister
- 1990 to 1998 Royal Navy, Midshipman to Lieutenant, Deputy Logistics Officer HMS CAMPBELTOWN and naval career prior to legal training
“maintaining the rule of law.” uh, oh. I love that buzz phrase. Not “the laws” but “the rule of law.” Hmm, a rule is a rule but a law is a law. One can go to prison for breaking a law but not for breaking a rule like talking back to your teacher in grade school. UK Judge Sir William Blackstone would likely hold me in contempt of court for pointing out such things. (sarcasm)
On the plus side, Mr. Murdoch so far has not made controversial statements like one of his predecessors who commented about Bermuda’s marriage law when he stepped off the plane and on Bermuda rock. But, time will tell.
“maintaining the rule of law”
That phrase has nothing to do with “rules”. It has to do constitutional law.
Andrew Murdoch is a barrister and a former Assistant Chief Naval Judge Advocate.
See https://www.gov.uk/government/news/change-of-governor-of-bermuda-andrew-murdoch
I love it when you tell me things that I already know and detailed in the story just so you can see your words on the Internet. My only surprise is that it took you so long.
Yes, I breathlessly await words of wisdom on “Ocean Policy” from Murdoch. Perhaps we can do a few shipwreck dives together and go Lionfish hunting.
Following “the rule of law,” perhaps the new Gov can get Mr. IT to disclose the details of the cyber attack that Mr. IT refuses to release to the public.
Following “the rule of law,” perhaps the new Gov can get annual financial reports filed on time and the Auditor General caught up. Bermuda Gaming Commission and the Regulatory Authority come to mind. What about the Government Borrowing Sinking Fund, Ministers and Members of the Legislature Pensions Fund, and Unemployment Insurance Fund?
On a different note, how about working with the Bermuda Gaming Commission to actually get a casino up and running? Surely with his legal and military background, he is a “get er done” kind of guy.
No mention of him being married so I suspect he will be a social animal with his expense account.
Now, add your list of “the rule of law” disclosures.
WOW! you really are out of touch with the Governors responsibilities.
Go look at what the Brits did in the Turks & Caicos Islands, August 2009.
Are you really comparing Bermuda in 2024 with the Turks & Caicos Islands in the early part of this century?
Is that sarcasm? You are the one who knows the ins and outs of what goes on in Bermuda politics.
“early part of this century?” Really? You make it sound like what happened in TCI was long ago. BTW: Misick is still going strong after the Crown spent $100+ million on the ongoing case.
Read my original detailed comment. Is there anything that I said that was incorrect?
And you did not answer: Now, add your list of “the rule of law” disclosures.
No money to see here, right? Who needs audits?
AG’s webpage – if the pages have been kept updated
Government-controlled organizations & Other organizations
Funds LAST ACCOUNTS AUDITED
Bermuda Economic Development Corporation 2018
Confiscated Assets Fund 2010
Consolidated Fund 2023 (not bad)
Contributory Pension Fund (Jul) 2012
FinTech Development Fund - show us the money!
Future Care Fund 2017
Government Borrowing Sinking Fund 2016
Government Employees Health Insurance Fund 2012
Government Reserves Fund 2023 (not bad)
Health Insurance Fund 2017
Ministers and Members of the Legislature Pensions Fund 2015
Mutual Re-insurance Fund 2017
Public Service Superannuation Fund 2012
Unemployment Insurance Fund 2020
Mr. HILARIOUSE
Xskuze me !
You don’t really want Bermuda to become a gambling den ,do you ?
Was that just a pacing thought while you were taking an afternoon walking trip down the yellow brick road?
Don tell me that is we would have to wait another 6 months for a notable financial statistical report that may put a damper on a few of their golf games, or an a sleepy Monday afternoon or a few rounds of international jet ski races ..
I had a brialliant thought that maybe could sell some sarcastic seaweed in a bottle.
We should never spin the wheel resulting in the action of put our hands in another mans pocket, only other than for minor trafic impropriorities., like 120 k pop wheeling round Stone cruisher corner or is it body crushing corner .
You can always take the Micky out of any one or two , three or four , Government department beurocrats while they listen to Rachmaninoffs second piano concerto in G / what ever, minor .
Plan “B” Survival mode. section 441911. help channel .
Dig up all the grass at Government house and plant and community dig up Carots and String Beans FREE free every body gets as much as you can to fit in a bag.
Mr. Hil . ………..
You know that this island should have stayed back in the thirteents century. No TV back then !
“Rule of law” means a very specific thing. It basically means that the law applies to everyone equally. People aren’t supposed to be able to ignore the law because they are powerful, or rich, or well connected, or a certain kind of person. Laws shouldn’t give ministers so much discretionary power that they can make decisions just to help their friends and hurt their foes).
It also means that it should be possible for everyone to obey the law. This means that laws must be discussed and passed in public, published and accessible. Laws shouldn’t go back in time and punish people for doing things that were legal at the time. There shouldn’t be unwritten “rules” where civil servants apply the law differently than the words actually say.
In summary “rule of law” means that everyone is subject to the law and not just subject to the whim of powerful officials.
I know the meaning. My point is it is an overused feel-good phrase that very few people believe and follow. A simple case in point: submit a PATI request to an Information Officer (IO) and watch the delay, song & dance, missed deadlines, support by their manager for missing deadlines, failure to take steps to find the information, etc. No IO ever gets fired for failing to follow “the rule of law.”
How often do police not follow “the rule of law” and violate people’s rights? Qualified immunity is such a wonderful thing. Good thing people take videos of their interactions with police because naturally, a police officer always follows “the rule of law” and never lies.
On that, I agree with you. In Bermuda, public officials tend to make a mockery of the rule of law by making up laughably bad excuses to ignore what the law actually says.
In Bermuda, laws give ministers so much power that the law might as well say “the minister can do anything he wants”.
In Bermuda, the laws give professional associations and unions nearly unlimited power to block competition on any pretext they can think of.
Has the governors residence and office been fixed, or will this one be in a hotel too. PLP are costing us more money through lack of maintenance on a daily basis.
“Has the governors residence and office been fixed”
Government House remains uninhabitable. I am not aware of any Government announcement as to when it will be habitable again or how much of it will be habitable.
Quite frankly, I am surprised that Government House has not been allocated as the official residence of the Premier, with the Governor moved elsewhere.
Wait, why are we losing the first Madam Governor? Did King Charles make this appointment? We always lose the good ones. Sigh.
She’s too middle road Towzer.
This one will be Court and Front Street.
I actually thought the current Governor was a bit disappointing, I didn’t see her as involved as I would have liked. I think we all got caught up on skin color and gender. Roll your sleeves up Andrew and get amongst us.
I think the current Governor read the (anti-British) attitude of the PLP Government and took steps not to give any cause for complaint.
Perhaps the PLP viewed her, as Americans would say…. She did nothing for the PLP. If she had given handouts, and thrown exclusive parties with celebrities, all would have been fine. But these Governor positions are more for show than do.
Why do you think the PLP/Bermuda Government can control who is the governor? Go read a civic book on Bermuda.
Ask someone to read what I wrote to you because your comments reflect nothing that I stated.
Please, name a few governors and list their actual accomplishments for Bermuda. I’ll wait… PS. Photo ops and socials are not accomplishments.
Maybe you should change your activities. I saw her quite often at various events like the PGA Golf at Port Royal and Harbour Nights (forgot she was the Governor because she was waving so friendly). She was involved, maybe not enough with the rich and smug like you, but she was in the community.
I doubt I will even see this new guy, except for maybe Bermuda Day. God save Bermuda.
“I doubt I will even see this new guy, except for maybe Bermuda Day.”
I don’t know why you would think that. My experience has been that our Governors have been very accessible. Even Sir Edwin Leather, who was Governor following the murder of Sir Richard Sharples, was seen and heard and easily accessible.
You are all living in a fantcy dreamy world.
Stick with forcasting the weather.
You don’t know the man as you question his integrity.
I attended the strict school at the Royal Naval Bermuda Dock yard.
The teacher there at Dock Yard were all Naval Officers.
The cane was haning on the wall for its visual effect, however you had to assume the position for it.
We had a name for the can it was” S W A R D ” I had two un ceremonious introductions.
In the Navy they say jump, and dare you ask how high.
Do you think he will wear that fancy helmet with feathers. he is not Army.
He was a comander of two ships and retains his title.
Show this Naval officer your respect , and im aconfident you will receive respect in return.