A British minister has confirmed the importance of maintaining “modern, respectful and co-operative” relations between the United Kingdom and its Overseas Territories, particularly in the unpredictable geopolitical climate that exists.

Stephen Doughty, the UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, is visiting the island as the minister-in-attendance for the royal visit of King Charles III.

Mr Doughty said the strength of relations with the OTs was more important than ever because of a more uncertain global political environment.

“It's important this relationship is solid and that it's mutually beneficial, particularly because of those geopolitical challenges that we're facing,” he told The Royal Gazette during an interview at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club yesterday.

“That's not just the conflict and war that we're seeing globally, but the instability in energy markets in recent weeks and, of course, the wider dynamics on issues such as climate change and nature, which of course are affecting small-island states around the world.”

Mr Doughty met officials across the island last October as part of his inaugural visit to Bermuda.

He added: “There are a whole series of challenges that we're focused on as a government and there’s a great mutual interest here between ourselves and the OTs, including Bermuda. I saw that very clearly on my last visit here and I'm sure I will see it again this time.”

Speaking to the UK Government’s decision last month to shelve legislation to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after US president Donald Trump withdrew support for the move, Mr Doughty said: “The Chagos Islands is a unique situation. The process unfortunately has had to be delayed as we were coming to the end of our parliamentary session.

“I’ve set out very clearly to Parliament where we are in that process. We continue to believe that the UK/Mauritius treaty is the most sustainable way to maintain the operational capability on Diego Garcia, [the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago] which is so crucial to the national security of the United Kingdom, the United States and other allies.”

In May 2025, the UK reached an agreement to transfer sovereignty of the islands back to Mauritius, while maintaining an initial 99-year lease of Diego Garcia.

A recent House of Lords report was critical of the Foreign Office, saying it treats the OTs as a “post-colonial problem to be managed”.

It said the relationship could benefit from being based more on openness and mutual respect.

Committee chair Lord Strathclyde told The Royal Gazettethat the OTs were “not first order issues”.

Mr Doughty said yesterday: “I see the Overseas Territories as a crucial part of the British family … and certainly not as a one-way relationship, this is a two-way relationship.

“Just look at, for example, the incredible contribution that the insurance industry here in Bermuda plays in the global financial system. Some of the issues, we'll be discussing during this visit, and I certainly see it as a modern, respectful and mutually beneficial partnership.”

Last month, a House of Lords committee called on the British Government to “urgently” publish a new policy document on its Overseas Territories, echoing a call this year by Bermuda’s Attorney-General for a “revised, modernised paper”.

Lord Strathclyde wrote an open letter to Mr Doughty with recommendations for ensuring Britain’s commitments to the ten inhabited territories are met and for improving the nation’s relationship with them.

Mr Doughty previously said there was no scope for a new White Paper where the Lords said there should be.

Speaking on his position, Mr Doughty said: “I remain very open minded to this and White Papers have to be agreed at the whole-government level. I've heard very clearly the requests from a number of the elected governments of the Overseas Territories on this.

“What we did agree at the last Joint Ministerial Council was the option for individual compacts between the UK and OTs setting out a very clear and stable agenda in our relationship and particular issues going forward.

“We've set out a series of principles and papers, and different agreements, which are taking forward the relationship in a new way and the existing White Paper stays in operation as a foundation of the relationship.”

Mr Doughty said there were no plans at present for the Overseas Territories to gain representation at Westminster, one of the ideas that has been floated.

He said: “We have a very, very clear set of constitutional arrangements. The OTs have their elected governments, of course, and the extraordinary history of Bermuda's Parliament and legislative history is known across the world and I'm very, very proud.”

He emphasised the importance of decision-making being made “close to communities and people”.

“That's a principle that we stand for as a government and we're absolutely committed to, in the UK and indeed across the family.

“There are no plans for representation in that way [Westminster representation] and we have established structures and JMCs, where the elected leaders of Overseas Territories come together with myself and ministers from across the UK Government in the spirit of partnership.

“We also have a number of ministerial committees between legislatures. The OTs engage through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and indeed in many of the initiatives that Mr Speaker and the speakers of the OT parliament have taken forward.”

Mr Doughty will be accompanying the King on a number of engagements over the coming days, which he described as a “great honour”.

He said he will be meeting the Premier and the Governor as well as industry and community representatives.

“It's a very special time to be here with the arrival of His Majesty and I think that's a really, really special occasion,” he said. “I’m obviously delighted to be here.”