Premier Meets With UK Minister Stephen Doughty
[Updated] UK Minister of State for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty and the Premier David Burt met in Hamilton today and “discussed a wide range of policy priorities and areas of mutual collaboration, including security, safeguarding, trade and the environment, and focused in particular on sanctions.”
A Government spokesperson said, “Recognising Bermuda as a global leader in the provision of high quality insurance and reinsurance services, Minister Doughty praised Bermuda’s efforts to implement UK sanctions, including freezing over US$200m of sanctioned assets. Minister Doughty and Premier Burt reaffirmed the importance of robust sanctions implementation and enforcement across the UK family, and both agreed that there should be no safe haven for those seeking to evade or circumvent UK sanctions.
“Minister Doughty and Premier Burt expressed their shared desire to enhance UK-Bermuda cooperation on sanctions. Minister Doughty assured Premier Burt of the UK’s commitment to supporting Bermuda; as a sign of that commitment, Minister Doughty and Premier Burt signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, under which the UK will make available up to £300,000 this financial year for new initiatives to enhance Bermudian sanctions capacity and capability.
“Minister Doughty and Premier Burt discussed Bermuda’s work to implement a legitimate interest access register of beneficial ownership. UK and Bermuda officials would remain in contact to assess policy proposals as they developed.
“Minister Doughty thanked Premier Burt for his territory’s warm welcome and reiterated the firm commitment of the UK Government to the sovereignty, security and defence of Bermuda and all British Overseas Territories.”
Update Sept 26, 9.06am: A Government house spokesperson said, “His Excellency the Governor Andrew Murdoch welcomed Mr Stephen Doughty MP, Minister of State for Europe, North America and the UK overseas Territories on his inaugural visit to Bermuda on 24-25 September 2025.
“On the first day of his visit to the island, the Minister met with the Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, to discuss a wide range of issues including security, sanctions, governance, safeguarding, environment and trade and economic development.
“Recognising the recent increase of violent crime, the Minister reaffirmed the UK’s offer to assist and support the Bermuda Police Service by providing specialist personnel and equipment.
“During their bilateral meeting, Minister Doughty and Premier Burt signed a letter of intent for the UK and Bermuda to work in partnership to develop an ‘Atlantic Child Advocacy Alliance’ pooling expertise across Bermuda and the Southern Ocean Overseas Territories of the Falkland Islands, St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha to strengthen Litigation Gurdian services.
“Both reaffirmed the importance of robust sanctions implementation and enforcement, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding, under which the UK will make available up to £300,000 for new initiatives to enhance Bermudian sanctions capacity and capability to better implement and enforce UK sanctions.
“On the second day of his visit, the Minister met representatives from the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers [ABIR] to understand their pivotal role in tackling climate-related disasters by making insurance easier to access as well as to discuss initiatives to ‘close the insurance gap’ for fragile states.
“Minister Doughty then met the Hon. Jache Adams JP, MP, Minister of Public Works and Environment, welcoming the work being undertaken to protect the environment and recognising the critical stewardship role of Bermuda. Minister Adams accompanied Minister Doughty on a tour of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources facility at Coney Island.
“They viewed video footage captured by the Blue Belt funded Baited Remote Underwater Video and also heard how UK Darwin funding has supported the work of the Living Reefs Foundation to restore coral reefs and protect the coast from hurricane and storm impacts.
“The Minister took part in a wide-ranging discussion with the Commissioner of Police, Darrin Simons on policing in Bermuda. The Governor and the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks joined the meeting, which focused on the response to gun and gang violence in Bermuda.
“The Minister was keen to understand the challenges, as well as identify options for the UK to work with the Bermuda Police Service and Government of Bermuda to support and assist in addressing the problem.
“In discussion with the Bermuda Police Service, the Minister recognised the recent rise in violent crime as of deep concern and was ardent in his commitment of UK support.
“Highlighting the successful impact of Bermuda’s peer to peer training model across the Overseas Territories, the Minister thanked the Commissioner for the assistance and support that Bermuda Police Service have provided across the Territories.
“In meeting with the Royal Bermuda Regiment, the Minister learnt about their vital support role in Covid and hurricane responses. He heard about the opportunities and challenges the Regiment faced and enquired about the upcoming Security and Defence Review, undertaking to support requests for greater access to equipment, training and overseas exercises.”
Reflecting on his visit, Minister Doughty said, “Bermuda is the oldest British Overseas Territory, and we have a longstanding, collaborative and mature partnership.
“I’m delighted to be here for the first time since I became the Minister for the Overseas Territories – and to have met with the Governor, Premier Burt and his government as we signed a new agreement to help Bermuda further develop its sanctions enforcement. Backed by UK support, this will strengthen our joint work in deterring Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“We share priorities on strengthening security, defending our interests and tackling serious and organised crime, so it was useful to meet with the Bermuda Police Service and the Royal Bermuda Regiment where we discussed what more we can do together.
“I was also inspired to witness the positive Darwin backed work being done by the Living Reefs Foundation and supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to restore the territory’s coral reefs and protect the coast from hurricane and storm impacts.
“I was glad to meet Bermuda’s insurance and reinsurance industry representatives to discuss how we can tackle the risks posed by climate change and environmental hazards, globally. I look forward to continuing these important conversations at the annual Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council in November.”
Brown shoe Wednesday?
Love the pink ties. Nothing says Bermuda more than pink.
Responds to simple questions. Example questions from MP Michael Fahay . The Govt responded like terrorist in a fight mood rather than thank him for the questions and give clear unemotional answers. The tone set by the Deouty of the PLP was angry emotional and aggressive. That type of feeling permeats through the community amd becomes norm with everything. Surely the UK heard it and would agree the PLP could tone down on questions and do a better job with wild chickens and lion fish. The PLP record on that is mot good . They can raise their voice on the loss of lives which is serious but deal with small things as mentioned and give straight forward responses in a dignified and non attacking way.
Thank you Premier Burt for recognition of the Regiment.
Perhaps it is a good time to focus on recruitment and incentives for those that serve /are serving ie preferred home financing costs, scholarships for trade schools and universities. I don’t believed scholarships should only go to accountants attorneys actuaries, but also those in the trades, (please not I am a CPA, so nothing personal about this profession)
If our GDP was at 5% for security it would be interesting to know can incentive programs like this be affordable. Can this help Bermuda youth be more focused the recent violence noted in the last couple of months ?
Respectfully
“UK Minister of State for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty and the Premier David Burt met in Hamilton today”
Keep your enemies close?