UK Minister David Rutley makes quick, thorough stop into Turks & Caicos, first visit to an OT

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, October 23, 2023 – UK Minister for the Overseas Territories David Rutley MP landed in the Turks and Caicos on Sunday October 1, his pace from the British Airways flight appeared brisk; ideal really as his itinerary and mission in these islands seemed to require that he be quick in step.

A press release issued ahead of his four-day expedition revealed:

• 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.

The Turks and Caicos Islands has been clamouring for this attentiveness given its bitter sweet story of a welcomed high performing tourism and real estate sector and  an unwelcomed, yet also high performing violent crime and illegal immigration problem.

Receiving Minister Rutley at the Providenciales International Airport was Her Excellency the Governor, Daleeni Daniel-Selveratnam who would also jointly host the minister to dinner that evening, alongside Premier C. Washington Misick.

This was in fact, according to the Governor, the first visit to an Overseas Territory for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for the Overseas Territories, David Rutley, MP.