Turks and Caicos, November 16, 2024 – UK Minister Stephen Doughty held a productive bilateral meeting the morning of Thursday November 7 with the Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick.
This meeting focussed on the acute security challenges facing law enforcement in the Turks and Caicos Islands and steps that the TCI Government and Her Excellency the Governor are taking to tackle serious crime and illicit maritime activity. 
As part of a discussion around further UK support, Minister Stephen Doughty announced that the UK is funding two new marine assets for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Marine Unit and that HMS Medway, a Royal Navy warship, will deploy to TCI waters in the coming weeks.
The Minister and Premier also discussed investment in social infrastructure and key projects, including airport redevelopment.
The Hon. Premier welcomed the submission of Constitutional Reforms to the Privy Council for final approval – which will mark a milestone in the TCI-UK modern partnership.
Following the announcement of HMS Medway’s upcoming deployment to TCI, Minister Stephen Doughty issued a joint statement with the UK Minister for Armed Forces:
“In response to the security issues affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), we are delighted to announce that HMS Medway, a Royal Navy warship, will visit TCI in the coming weeks to undertake patrols of TCI’s territorial waters. We are working with the Governor and local agencies to work up a range of operational engagements.
This forms part of wider enhanced measures of support from the UK to the Islands to build local capability to respond to the ongoing security challenges. We are pleased our new UK Government has been able to respond directly to a number of requests made by the
Governor and Premier, and we will continue to work in partnership between the UK and TCI on these critical issues.”
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Armed Forces Stephen Doughty MP, Minister for the UK Overseas Territories Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick commented:
“The discussions conducted today underscore our collective commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is vital that the United Kingdom Government works with my Government to strengthen our law enforcement capability and fortify our borders. I am pleased to have secured the deployment of the Royal Navy warship, HMS Medway, and additional assets for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
These are important steps as we work together to fulfil our shared responsibility to secure the safety and prosperity of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I look forward to further engagements with the Minister this week and during the Joint Ministerial Council later this month to strengthen the TCI-UK relationship.”