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.”
