Independence supporter Walton Brown believes the UK aims to step up its power over Overseas Territories through its newly released White Paper.But Governor George Fergusson argues the Foreign Office document merely underlines the UK’s renewed commitment to a stronger mutual relationship with Territories such as Bermuda.Mr Brown, a former Progressive Labour Party Senator who has campaigned for the Island to cut links with Britain, noted a comment in the paper’s introduction which stated: “As a matter of constitutional law, the UK Parliament has unlimited power to legislate for the Territories.”Pointing to further references to a plan for a Joint Ministerial Council involving UK Ministers and elected leaders of Territories, Mr Brown told The Royal Gazette: “The intended outcome as I see it is consistent with my long held position that the UK, since 1999, has sought to see power devolved back to the UK.“This runs contrary to their public embracing of the principle of greater self-government. Further, it has significant constitutional implications.“The UK can legislate whatever it wants for the colonies, irrespective of the allocation of responsibilities under our ‘constitution’ and the Joint Ministerial Council will clearly not be a consensus-reaching entity nor one where each member is equal. The UK will control it.“And so there will be yet another UK government insertion of its power in the governance of the colonies where they do not have the authority under the present constitutions.“Are the constitutions in each colony to be rendered irrelevant under the guise of security, success and sustainability? The leaders of all UK colonies should be concerned about this.”Responding, Mr Fergusson said: “The punchline for Bermuda is the UK is reviewing its commitment to work with Bermuda, to help where Bermuda wants it and to have a much stronger mutual relationship — one of adults, not one where Mr Brown needs to feel uncomfortable.”The 123-page White Paper, subtitled Security, Success and Sustainability, was released yesterday after the UK government held a public consultation on its 14 territories from September to January.It discusses the UK’s constitutional relationship with the Territories and its responsibilities for external affairs, defence, including the police and the appointment, discipline and removal of public officers.Mr Fergusson said: “It reflects the genuinely strong commitment by UK Ministers to strengthen the relationship, to put more into the importance of the relationship between Britain and the Overseas Territories.“I don’t think that’s in any way an attempt to diminish the autonomy, but it shows our Ministers value the relationship with the Overseas Territories and put quite a lot of political effort into the relationship. They think it’s a nice relationship to have.”Mr Fergusson noted the UK’s responsibility for its Territories means Britain must face the consequences when international conventions are breached.“Unless it decides to go Independent, we need to have a fallback,” he said.“As has happened in the Turks and Caicos, if corruption gets to a point in the Territories, the UK needs to step in. As the White Paper makes clear, we hope that never has to happen again.”Mr Fergusson added that individual ministries in the UK, such as education and health, may now be able to provide more support to the Territories.Overseas Territories Minister Henry Bellingham said in a statement that the White Paper also aims to strengthen good governance, financial management and economic planning, while British companies will be encouraged to invest in Bermuda.He said: “We recognise how diverse the Territories are but also that, in these times of global economic difficulty, we face common challenges: building more diverse and resilient economies, cutting public sector deficits, regulating businesses effectively, and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources and protecting the natural environment.“And there are certain standards which we must all uphold, in particular in maintaining the rule of law, respecting human rights, and integrity in public life. We are committed to taking strong action to combat corruption in the UK and we expect the Territories to do likewise.“The UK Government is determined to help the Territories run themselves effectively, not to run them ourselves.“This was made clear recently when we announced that elections would be held in the Turks and Caicos Islands on 9 November, on the basis that significant progress had been made to address the issues raised by Sir Robin Auld’s Commission of Inquiry that had identified a high probability of systemic corruption.“Overall we recognise that the Territories have made considerable strides in their economic development.“We will support the efforts that you are making to boost economic growth and grow global businesses, and we will encourage British companies to invest in and trade with Bermuda and the other Territories.”