UK will support Overseas Territories' petitions before UN, says Doughty

Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty, says the UK Government will continue to support Overseas Territories if they wish to be delisted from the UN List of non-self-governing territories.

The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation, also known as the Committee of 24,  sits every June to hear from territories and report back with recommendations to the Fourth Committee.

Mr Doughty was answering questions from Shadow Minister Priti Patel in the House of Commons on whether the UK would be seeking to abolish or reform the Special Committee.

He said the UK believes the Committee is outdated and no longer has a relevant role to play with respect to the UK Overseas Territories.

However, he said if Overseas Territories want the UK to support them in addressing the Committee, or request their de-listing, it will do so.