Overseas territories furious at UK’s ‘colonial era’ register
By Tom Carnegie, 2 May 18
The British Overseas Territories (BOTs) have slammed the UK Government for trying to force public registers of beneficial owners on the jurisdictions, describing it as an act of “constitutional overreach” and an “unacceptable act of modern colonialism”.
Bermuda’s government has released a statement saying it “rejects the UK parliament vote”.
The island’s premier and finance minister David Burt said the amendment signals a “retrograde step in the relations between the United Kingdom and the overseas territories”.
“In the case of Bermuda, after 50 years of constitutionally sanctioned internal self-government, it is regrettable that we see this ‘about face’ which fails to acknowledge this long history of enshrined democratic freedoms.
“The Government of Bermuda maintains that the constitutional position is clear and we will take necessary steps to ensure our constitution is respected,” Burt said.
Tags: British Overseas Territories | Crown Dependencies | Public Register
