Head of the diplomatic service and senior official of the British Government's Foreign Office, Sir Michael Jay, will be visiting Bermuda in May, Government House confirmed yesterday.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said that it will be Sir Michael's first visit to the Island.

"From time to time he takes whatever opportunity he can to visit members of the diplomatic service. So he's taken the opportunity of a visit to North America to drop by in Bermuda to visit staff working on the Overseas Territories," Mr. Gurney said.

Sir Michael will also be meeting local Government Ministers and senior officials while here to learn more about Bermuda's relationship with the UK, added Mr. Gurney.

A career diplomat, Sir Michael took up the post of Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign Office and head of the Diplomatic Service in January 2002.