Burch says visiting UK MP was ‘disrespectful’
National Security Minister David Burch called statements by British MP Andrew Rosindell disrespectful, saying the Conservative backbencher didn’t have the right to dictate policy.Speaking at the close of the motion to adjourn in the Senate on Wednesday, Sen Burch said: “You’re a backbencher and you come from Britain for the first time in your life and you want to tell Bermuda what to do?“It’s disrespectful and I’m not going to take it. I want to record my objections.”Mr Rosindell, a backbencher with the Conservative Party that took power in Britain as part of a coalition government last May, visited the Island in February.During his stay Mr Rosindell, the chairman of the British Overseas Territories Parliamentary Group, met with Premier Paula Cox.Speaking with The Royal Gazette, Mr Rosindell said the Premier was cynical about a change in the relationship or attitude in the new British Government towards Overseas Territories.He said: “She told me she was cynical because in the past British government’s haven’t always lived up to expectations.”On Wednesday, Sen Burch called it a “breach of protocol” for the MP to describe the Premier as cynical to the press so soon after the meeting.“I would suspect he had what I would call a ‘come to Jesus’ talk with his colleagues when he got back, how you can’t come to foreign countries and dictate policy.“I could put him on the stop list you know. I won’t.”