The British government says it will be looking for transparency in the way St Helena spends millions of pounds it receives in aid funding. Its latest update on British overseas territories says: “More than ever, in the current financial climate, we have a duty to show that we are achieving value for money in everything we …
A formal protest has been sent to Foreign Secretary William Hague over the “unpleasant” way that Governor Mark Capes dismissed elected councillors without warning. But a response from overseas territories chief Peter Hayes has claimed that Mr Capes gave “justified reasons” for removing councillors from office. In fact, those reasons only explained the decision to …
London dismisses election protest against Governor Capes Read More »
Government House in the Falkland Islands has signed up to the internet messaging service, Twitter – widely regarded as the most effective way to reach people with special interests. The governors of Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands have already built up a following on the news-sharing site, as has Dr Paula McLeod, of …
Leading island politicians have publicly condemned the actions of Governor Mark Capes in dissolving St Helena’s Legislative Council without warning – and without calling an election. Mr Capes gave the 12 elected councillors an hour’s notice of his announcement, which appeared to have been timed to fit in with his holiday. He removed them from …
Sacked councillors round on His Absency the Governor Read More »
An investigation has highlighted “legal neglect” of biodiversity in the UK’s overseas territories – but not on St Helena. The territory, which formally includes Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, is one of only three to have been singled out for praise in a report by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It …
St Helena gets top rating for environmental protection Read More »
A Member of Parliament has reacted with dismay to allegations about the British government’s performance on protecting the environment of UK overseas territories. Caroline Lucas, the country’s only Green Party MP, said the government’s systems were “constitutionally not working.” She said: “The more I hear, the more shocking the situation seems to be.” She expressed …
A “great injustice” Margaret Thatcher perpetrated on the people of St Helena has been largely overlooked in coverage of her death. Saints were denied their right of free access to the UK for nearly two decades, along with people of Tristan da Cunha, Ascension and most other British overseas territories. A Falklands councillor, Mike Summers, …
How Thatcher’s ‘Act of injustice’ brought despair to Saints Read More »
An outbreak of illness that has kept cruise ships away from the Turks and Caicos Islands has prompted a St Helena Online reader to ask why people in Jamestown are not also taking sick – especially visiting yachties. Caribbean News Now reports that the islands – a British overseas territoriy – have lost millions of …
Clergy who want to hear God’s voice more clearly should consider moving to Tristan da Cunha, according to islander Lorna Lavarello-Smith. Lorna is leading the search for a new vicar for the world’s most remote inhabited island, which has been without an Anglican minister for nearly three years – the longest gap since 1922. “If you …
The man in charge of Britain’s overseas islands will be arriving on St Helena on Monday 4 March 2013. Dr Peter Hayes, director for the overseas territories at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is making a three-day familiarisation trip. He said: “I am delighted to be able to visit St Helena so early in my time …
Head of overseas territories sets course for Jamestown Read More »