The volcano: false predictions "created panic", say scientists

British Minister in Montserrat to Boost Relations

The International Development Minister, George Foulkes, has arrived on Montserrat to try to restore relations between Britain and the Caribbean island. He visited the volcano that has devastated the south of the island and left thousands homeless.

Mr Foulkes met Montserrat's Chief Minister, David Brandt and repeated previous promises to help with emergency housing and the island's medical facilities. He insisted that this time the pledges would be fulfilled because they came from the most senior level.

He told the BBC: "Before I left, Tony Blair phoned me and said that he passed on and wanted me to pass on to David his personal commitment to the future of the island and there should be absolutely no doubt that the British Government will never abandon the island of Montserrat and the people of Montserrat."

Mr Brandt said it was time for a fresh start with Britain and he expected that over the course of the next 24 hours Mr Foulkes would release frozen funds to enable hundreds of refugees to move out of squalid shelters.

George Foulkes: tough mission

"I am satisfied," said the island's leader. "I think the fact that Montserrat has got prime ministerial attention, in itself it must say something and I believe it is a step in the right direction."

Mr Foulkes also met scientists from the volcano observatory, who recently accused him of misinterpreting their predictions of seismic activity and creating panic.

The minister's aides tried to end an interview when Mr Foulkes was asked whether he bore any responsibility for the recent crisis on Montserrat and whether he should apologise on behalf of his department head, Clare Short, who accused islanders of being greedy. Mr Foulkes ducked the questions and said that he wanted to look forwards not backwards.

When Mr Foulkes arrived on the island, he bounded from his helicopter to meet the Chief Minister and the two men clasped each other in a public display of reconciliation.

Earlier, Mr Brandt had said that following Mr Foulkes's warnings, international banks have withdrawn and insurance companies are no longer prepared to offer cover - even though scientists are confident that the north of the island is 99% safe.

The Chief Minister had said that after two years of inaction and broken pledges by the Government he will not tolerate any more empty promises. He hoped Mr Foulkes would use his visit to announce that Britain would release frozen funds that had been earmarked for emergency housing, a new hospital and other important projects.

Britain will also be asked to guarantee the cost of building a new capital, to replace Plymouth, the island's picturesque capital which was destroyed by the volcano.

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Department for International Development