A company registered in Anguilla, HavenCo, has formed a partnership with the UK owners of Sealand. Taking advantage of Sealand’s claims of independence, the US directors of HavenCo plan to offer freedom for users in an environment not monitored by police.
However, the Home Office and the Foreign Office have said that they do not recognise the sovereignty of Sealand. A spokesman said that HavenCo would have to comply with the UK laws.
This means it may have to provide interception capabilities for the intelligence services under the proposed Regulation of Investigatory Powers law. Sealand is reportedly willing to test its claims to sovereignty in the courts.
Investors from around the world are reported as having offered millions of dollars for shares in HavenCo. Bill Scannell, a spokesman for HavenCo said they are not accepting any offers of investment until they have an investor policy. “We want to make sure all money is clean before we accept it,” he added.
Michael Bates, the son of the original occupier after the war, said “We don’t want this operation to be used for illegal means... We don’t want to harm Britain – I’m British – but we won’t run away from a fight.”