Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Apr 09, 2026

HMS Medway returns against wishes of VI Gov’t

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.


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

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
UK Accelerates Efforts to Harmonise Medical Technology Rules with United States
Wireless Festival Cancelled After Kanye West Denied Entry to the United Kingdom
Operation Europe: Trump Deploys Vance to Hungary to Save the EU
King Charles Faces Criticism From Some UK Christians Over Absence of Easter Message
Former UK Defence Secretary Raises Concerns Over Ability to Counter Iran Missile Threat
UK Signals Non-Involvement in Iran Conflict as Trump Reasserts Firm Deterrence Stance
US and UK Strengthen Medical Device Cooperation Following Tariff Removal
Trump Backs Steve Hilton for California Governor, Highlighting Reform Agenda
UK Seeks Closer Ties With Anthropic as AI Policy Divergence Emerges Across Atlantic
Experts Warn of Evolving Extremism After Teens Arrested in UK Ambulance Arson Case
UK Convenes Talks to Safeguard Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz After Conflict Escalation
Trump Highlights Strong Leadership in Critique of UK Stance on Iran
UK Authorities Review Kanye West’s Entry Status Following Festival Backlash
UK Considers Deploying Aircraft Carrier for US Independence Day Celebrations Amid Renewed Transatlantic Focus
United Kingdom Moves to Attract AI Firm Anthropic Amid Tensions with US Defense Officials
RAF Intercepts Iranian Drones in Middle East to Defend Allied Security Interests
Labour Signals Shift on Foie Gras and Fur Restrictions to Advance EU Trade Talks
Seven Arrested Near RAF Base as UK Authorities Respond to Protest Activity
Economic Pressures Mount as Analysts Warn UK Growth Is Being Constrained by Policy Burdens
×