Following the release of the Report of the Foreign Affairs Committee today, Premier David Burt stated: “This is a Report from the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. The Government of Bermuda is reviewing the Report and will be ready to address any issues that may arise. Separately, we are focused on preparing Bermuda for what may emerge as a result of Brexit, a situation which can best be described as evolving daily.”

The Premier observed that Bermuda’s position on the adoption of a public register of beneficial ownership has been consistent over several years and reiterated that:“Bermuda is committed to meeting any properly  adopted, global standard for such matters and will work with the UK Government as necessary once such a global standard is agreed.”

On the issue of same-sex marriage, the Premier noted that this matter was currently before the Courts and as such no further comment could be made at this time. The Premier continued: “The right to vote is perhaps the most highly valued right in a democracy. To suggest that non-Bermudians should have the right to determine the direction of our country via the ballot box ignores the history of voting rights in Bermuda and is a tone-deaf recommendation which we will strenuously resist.”