The planned EC$9.5 million allocation of public funds for an Anguilla office in the United Kingdom is on pause while due diligence on a London property continues.
The decision came after the opposition raised concerns over the proposed transfer of funds for the building, which had been set out in the government’s supplementary budget for debate.
On presenting the Supplementary Appropriation (2026) Act, 2026 during a sitting of the Anguilla House of Assembly on 8 June, Premier Cora Richardson Hodge announced the removal of the line item.
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She said the move was to give the opposition sufficient time and notice “so that they can prepare appropriately for the debate when it comes back to the house”.
The premier, who also serves as finance minister, announced in March that the government had put in a non-binding offer on a multi-floor property on Fleet Street in London.
It was identified as suitable due to its central location, sufficient space to accommodate both the Anguilla UK representative and future tourism staff, and space for hosting events or student activities.
Speaking at a press conference, she said the offer intended to open the door for due diligence, including valuation, legal review and occupancy arrangements.
At the time she did not disclose the list price which she described as a “moving target” while other offers are on the table, adding that the government had considered more than 30 other properties.
Opposition protest
On 8 June, opposition leader Ellis Webster penned a letter to assembly speaker Tara Carter saying he had been given a breakdown of the proposed supplementary budget just 24 hours earlier.
He said the allocation for the UK office did not constitute an emergency expenditure, was not a disaster relief measure, nor did it address a threat to public health, safety or national security.
“There is no compelling justification for rushing this matter through the house in 24 hours without the level of transparency, consultation and public scrutiny that an expenditure of this magnitude deserves,” he said.
Webster told Carter that the opposition did not plan to support the item and requested that it be removed.
The Anguilla Progressive Movement has been very vocal about the proposed purchase of multi-million dollar property since it was announced.
During the 10 February meeting of the Anguilla House of Assembly, opposition member Merrick Richardson raised detailed parliamentary questions on the matter.
Then on 20 February, members launched an online petition, which has 115 signatures to date, stating the purchase would “commit the country to significant upfront costs and ongoing expenses for years to come”.
The petition ends by calling on the government to cancel the proposed purchase and pursue more affordable, transparent and accountable alternatives “that protect the nation’s financial future”.
Anguilla House
Richardson Hodge first announced the ‘Anguilla House’ initiative at a press conference on 22 December 2025, saying she was “very excited to bring this to the public’s attention”.
The premier said past governments as well as many Anguillians overseas had complained for several years about the lack of presence in the UK.
She explained that a government underspend in 2025 had allowed public funds to be allocated to acquire property in London and said the Executive Council had given approval earlier that month.
On 26 January, the premier said the administration had set aside US$5–6 million for the office which is intended to be used as a “hub” to house Anguilla’s UK-based representative Blondel Cluff.
It will also accommodate future destination marketing staff and visiting officials, and serve as a point of contact for Anguillians relocating or visiting for education or medical reasons, she said.
“What that presence means is that we have the ability to have continued engagement with the United Kingdom,” the premier said.
