HMS Medway returns against wishes of VI Gov’t

The United Kingdom (UK) navy vessel, HMS Medway, has returned to the Virgin Islands to assist with border security, even though against the wishes of the Virgin Islands Government who had insisted that the UK’s assistance could have been channeled to another aspect of border surveillance.

The vessel was seen in the Sir Francis Drake Channel in the Cox Heath area this morning, September 30, 2020.

The HMS Medway is a British Royal Navy patrol ship, designed for counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, fishery protection and border patrol.

According to the Governor’s Office, the vessel will remain in the Territory until the end of October and work alongside the RVI Police Force and other members of the Joint Task Force to support patrols and temporary radar arrangements in place.

Embattled outgoing Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who has been under strong criticisms for his insensitive comments about slavery reparations and the preserving of names of landmarks in honour of persons who perpetrated slavery and evil acts against inhabitants of the Caribbean, has acknowledged that his insistence to bring the UK navy to patrol the VI borders were against the will of the people of the VI to handle their own affairs.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, has since written a letter to the Minister for Overseas Territories and Sustainable Development, Baroness Elizabeth G. Sugg over Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert’s, left, high-handedness and alleged attempts to cause injury between the elected Government and its people as well as the VI and UK relationship.

Consult with the people's elecetd Gov't- Premier to UK

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has since written a letter to the Minister for Overseas Territories and Sustainable Development, Baroness Elizabeth G. Sugg over Governor Jaspert’s high-handedness and alleged attempts to cause injury between the elected Government and its people as well as the VI and UK relationship.

In the letter, which has since been leaked to the local media, Premier Fahie told Baroness Sugg that in the interest of salvaging what is left of the relationship between the respective Governments after the havoc that has been wreaked by Governor Jaspert, especially over the past month, "you would agree that before any further steps are taken to position the UK Military in BVI waters to support the current border protection strategy, it is prudent that you should consult with the people's elected Government."

It is unclear whether the UK has met that request before dispatching the HMS Medway to VI waters.