A British parliamentary committee said yesterday it was “regrettable” that the premier of Bermuda David Burt did not attend an inquiry that led to a report he subsequently claimed was a bid to erode the constitutional rights of Bermudians.
The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (“FAC”) said elected leaders and representatives of most other British Overseas Territories gave evidence about their respective territory’s relationship with Britain, and while Premier Burt was listed among those due to appear at a session in December, he later said their presence was unnecessary.
In notice of a motion against the report this week, Premier Burt asked the British Government to reject the FAC’s proposals which included, among other things, conferring voting rights on British citizens resident in Bermuda and legalisation of same-sex marriage. The motion, which has still to be debated, asked MPs to reject “the unwarranted and unjustified attempt at intervention into Bermuda’s domestic affairs” and called on the UK Government to reject “the report and its retrograde recommendations”.
Representatives of the FAC expressed disappointment that the Premier and the Bermudian representative in the UK were unable to speak to the committee in person before their report was published and noted that the elected leaders and representatives of most other Overseas Territories were able to do so.
The FAC spokesperson said they took as much evidence from as many Overseas Territory leaders and representatives as possible. They noted that while the committee respects this and recognises that the Overseas Territories have centuries-old political institutions, for there to be unity going forward, all jurisdictions must commit to shared values and strive for the highest standards on fundamental issues like human rights and equality.
The committee spokesperson expects the Foreign Office to “engage seriously” with the report and to respond within two months.
