Visit of UK Minister for Overseas Territories to Turks & Caicos Islands, David Rutley, MP arrives Sunday

#TurksandCaicos, September 29, 2023 – Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier are pleased to announce that Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for the Overseas Territories David Rutley MP is visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands next week.

• Mr Rutley is the UK Minister responsible for the Americas and the Caribbean including the Overseas Territories. This will be his first visit to an Overseas Territory.
• A key focus of his visit is national security and he will see for himself the acute pressures facing the Turks and Caicos Islands from irregular migration and violent crime. Visits include the marine branch, the Detention Centre, border security leads, Tactical Unit and the Regiment. He will meet with the National Security Council and hear briefings from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Irregular Settlement Unit. He will discuss the growing collaboration between our police and Regiment with our US and Canadian partners.
• Other aspects of the Minister’s visit include society and investment. While in the nation’s capital Grand Turk he will learn about the ambitious rehabilitation efforts at His Majesty’s Prison and tour recent infrastructure upgrades. He will visit the first designated mental health facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Centre of Hope to understand the opportunities and challenges facing mental health.
• The Minister will attend receptions with elected and appointed representatives, justice, community and business leads.
• Minister Rutley arrives this Sunday 01 October for a 4-day visit.