A press release announcing that His Excellency Governor Alan Huckle is to leave here to take up an appointment in the Falkland Islands has taken the people of Anguilla by surprise. He arrived on the island on May 27, 2004 and was expected to have remained for at least four years.

HE The Governor and Mrs. Huckle

The release, from the Governor’s Office in Anguilla, dated Wednesday, July 27, stated that the announcement was made in London the same day. Mr. Huckle, who was himself surprised at the offer, is to be the Governor of the Falkland Islands and Commissioner of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands when the position becomes vacant in 2006.

“Her Majesty the Queen has approved the appointment, which was made on the advice of the Foreign Secretary and endorsed by the Prime Minister. The Governor has informed the Chief Minister and members of Executive Council,” the press release said.

The release continued: “The exact date of the Governor’s departure is not known but the Governor will certainly continue in office in Anguilla until Spring 2006. The Governor hopes not to have to leave before May/June of next year. Arrangements are now being made to select his successor.

“HE the Governor wishes to make clear that he fully expected to serve a full four-year term as Governor of Anguilla. The approach by a senior representative of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Management Board to ask him to consider an early transfer to the Falklands came as a real surprise to him. It was a very difficult decision for him and his wife, Helen, to take because of their strong commitment to Anguilla. But the move involves personal promotion and an extension of service beyond the current normal retirement date for Diplomatic Service officers, giving him the possibility of working until age 65.

“HE the Governor wishes to stress that he will continue to work as hard as possible for the people of Anguilla even though his time here has been cut short. Both he and his wife hope that they will continue to enjoy the support, encouragement and friendship that so many have offered them since their arrival in Anguilla,” the release added.
In the short time of their arrival and service here the Governor and his wife have blended in very well with the Anguillian community and have earned the respect of persons from all walks of life.

Governor Huckle is a very senior official in the British Diplomatic Service. He served with distinction as Head of the Overseas Territories Department in London before coming to Anguilla and prior to that as Head of the Dependent Territories Regional Secretariat in Barbados, among other top level positions.

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