British servicemen out-numbered the handful of evacuees

Only 17 leave Montserrat as Short Criticises "Irresponsible" Politicians

Many of those who have stayed, with the encouragement of local politicians, are said to be waiting for an improved cash offer from Britain to help with resettlement. Tensions have risen on the streets of Montserrat following demonstrations against the British Government. But the International Development Secretary, Clare Short has criticised local politicians for fuelling unrealistic expectations and "irresponsibly" stirring up protests.

She claimed people on the island were being told to expect large compensation payments from the British government when this was not justified. In particular she criticised David Brandt, a lawyer and local politician, who took over the position of Chief Minister on Thursday. Mr Brandt has already contacted the government to demand a better financial package.

Short: critical of Montserrat government

Ms Short's criticism has not been received well. People here say her rude and undiplomatic language has had the effect of rallying the islanders behind Mr Brandt and convincing them to stay behind to take on the British.

Twenty-three islanders were supposed to go but six decided to stay back with the rest of the people who've tentatively signed up for evacuation.

The British colony is threatened by the Soufriere Hill volcano, which became active two years ago. Only the north of Montserrat is considered to offer relative safety, and the majority of the islanders have already left. But about 4,000 are remaining, demanding compensation and financial help with leaving the island.

Earlier, Ms Short had announced details of a £10 million aid package to help people fleeing the volcanic eruptions on the Caribbean island. People will get their fares and grants amounting to six months' average wages to help them relocate to Britain or elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Brandt: Critical of London

David Brandt says the north of the island should be developed

But the new chief minister of Montserrat, David Brandt, responded with a call on the government in London to increase the level of aid to the island. He said the current level of assistance had been set arbitrarily, and added that the government should find out the true cost of living in the countries in which Montserratians were being relocated.

The former chief minister of Montserrat, Bertrand Osborne, resigned amid criticism of his handling of the crisis. Local politicians and demonstrators had accused him of being too pro-British, and for failing to negotiate firmly enough with the Government over an aid package.

London's compensation package allows for less than £2,500 per adult, an offer which local people have met with derision.

Marsha Punter, a local businesswoman, told the BBC of the feeling of disgust among Montserratians: "We were hoping for fair treatment, not to be treated like rubbish. We have our homes here, we have our businesses here - and they're talking about leaving all that and going off for a couple of thousand pounds? That's crazy."

The island's volcano - still a threat

Angry people in one northern town, Salem, threw missiles and drew knives and machetes. Police in riot gear intervened and detained four people during the disturbance. However, a representative of the local Red Cross, Anna Payne, said reports of widespread anger among the islanders were exaggerated.

Short Defends the Government's Record

Ms Short defended the amount of money on offer, claiming that it was "a great deal of money" in comparison to how much a family affected by a flood in her own constituency would get. She added that taken as a whole the package was very good.

She also said that she had been in favour of giving Montserratians the freedom to choose between staying and evacuation, but that the democratically elected Government of the island had decided its people should stay.

"There hasn't been any delay on our part. Prior to the 16th August - when the scientific evidence changed and we had to get people out of the centre of the island - the government of Montserrat wanted everything that Britain was doing to be directed to developing the north of the island and didn't want us to assist anyone to leave," she said.

Ms Short added: "My own view was that the people of Montserrat should have had choices given what was happening to their island - their own government thought not. I understand that people are disgruntled, but we have acted very quickly."

HMS Liverpool: centre of operations

The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Liverpool is co-ordinating the evacuation of residents to the nearby islands of Antigua and Guadeloupe by ferry. The destroyer was diverted from anti-narcotics duties in the Caribbean to help with what was expected to be an emergency mass-evacuation.

But the Foreign Office says that the number of islanders deciding to go is small. A spokesman said: "It is an orderly evacuation and people are not leaving in huge numbers."

But both Antigua and Barbuda have already warned they will not be able to cope with a new influx of refugees.

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