Former banker confirmed as OT minister
(CNS): The UK Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East who was appointed as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office earlier this month in the wake of Mark Simmonds’ resignation will also be overseeing the overseas territories, the FCO has confirmed. Simmonds threw in the towel on his almost £120,000 pay-packet as he claimed he couldn't afford to live in central London and spend time with his family in his constituency on that money. Replacing him is former banker James Dudderidge, who lists his policy interests as pensions, financial services and Africa, having worked for Barclays in the Ivory Coast and Botswana.
Other interests include the environment, transport, local government and other UK government areas but there is no record of Duddridge ever taking any interest in the UK’s remaining colonies. However, his banking experience may come to the fore as the UK continues to apply pressure on Cayman to introduce the controversial open beneficial ownership registry for the local offshore industry, in line with the wishes of UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Duddridge is the third minister to oversee the OTs since the conservative coalition was elected in May 2010, with Henry Bellingham holding the post for the first two years prior to Simmonds. Both those men visted Cayman during their time in office but with the UK General Election just nine months away it remains to be seen whether Duddridge will take advantage of his new post for a jolly to the Caribbean.
Although the new Tory minister has responsibility for most of the UK’s overseas possessions, his remit excludes the more controversial islands of the Falklands and Gibraltar as well as the Sovereign based Areas of Cyprus.
Category: Politics
This is a good thing he will take us of the current non compliant list.
Maybe we should consider having more British in the civil service for example the AG, crown counsels, Judges and at CIMA so that the UK realises some of their own will be affected but alas we want the Jamaicans to run the country yet have the Mother Country be there for protection.
Such a jolly looking chap I must say!
No accident of choice. Watch out Cayman.
No accident of choice . Watch out Cayman i see USA Snowden in this picture and in my cristal ball . Mr premier keep that leach VERY tight .
Any chance of a list of his salary and bonus figures whilst sweating his guts out toiling away as a "banker"?
If he can afford to do the job, wonder what his bonuses were during his time in the banking scam, sorry, "profession". Probably three times (at least) any honest Joe's yearly take home pay, I'll wager. I'm English, and I've no doubt whatsoever this geezer's remit is to (with an ever present smile) drive this country into oblivion (politely, mind you). London's gonna play hardball like you've never seen. Do not trust them further than you can throw them, seriously. These are not "partners" by any stretch of the imagination, and will put London's best interests first and foremost for sure. Don't be suckered, Cayman.
23.48- on a Friday night-never attempt to comment on anything whilst under the influence of alcohol-it makes you look and sound foolish.
Not Doddery Duddery of Danbury and Dagenham?
Dagenham? What did he do there, walk his dog in the little park? The Motherland always pick representatives with "Africa experience". Why is that?
Good, Cayman banking business will boom again.
As long has he knows, "country first, territories second", then he will be a sound choice.
As long as we all remember when we read your posts "Bull first, sh-t second" we will have made a sound choice.
LMAO…made my day…"Bull first, Sh$T second"
The name is Bull, Pit Bull. "Sh-t" Bull is my cousin.
I could be wrong but I have the distinct impression that this gentleman's not exactly going to be embraced with open arms by your good self.