As The Turks and Caicos Islands Turn

I have been blogging on and off about the state of finances and affairs here in Turks and Caicos since the beginning of the UK Commission of Enquiry into government corruption. Last I knew the Commission's report was complete and filed, showing lots of evidence of misconduct, mismanagement, and financial shenanigans.

In the meantime the NY Times reported that ex-Premier Michael Misick was still running things behind the scenes as new Premier Galmo Williams tried to stop the UK takeover of our government.

Late last week The TCI Sun reported that Premier Williams was seeking to call a snap election a full 1.5 years before the next scheduled election.

Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands Hon. Galmo Williams has called a snap election three months after taking over the reins of power from embattled former Premier Michael Misick.
The election, which the Premier announced to be held in October 26, has been called in the middle of the Progressive National Party (PNP) administration, as constitutionally, general election is not due until February, 2011.

Then it was rumored that the takeover was to happen as early as today. But in today's news there is yet another delay. According to The Guardian UK,

Officials have indicated that because of the sensitivity of the issue, the British government prefers to see matters "played out in the courts" before moving to suspend the islands' political institutions.

The appeal for a judicial review of the crown's right to suspend the constitution by an order in council has been brought by the former prime minister of the islands, Michael Misick. The courts have twice ruled against Misick this year. One of the central players in the islands' recent dramas, Misick has been accused of amassing a multimillion-dollar fortune, financed through questionable dealings that gave property developers access to crown-owned land.

Under the direct rule plan the British governor, Gordon Wetherell, would assume power from the islands' assembly and courts, suspending the right of trial by jury for high-profile individuals implicated in corruption. He would be supported by a handful of Foreign Office officials, and advised by two groups of "belongers", as residents of the islands are known – a more powerful advisory council and a consultative forum. Both would be appointed by Wetherell.

The proposed suspension of the right to trial by jury follows concern that it would be impossible to find jurors who could maintain their neutrality.

The proposed imposition of direct rule has been highly unpopular with the Turks and Caicos's political elites, some of whom have accused Britain of a "return to colonial rule". Even as planning for direct rule has been proceeding in London, the islands' new prime minister, Galmo Williams, attempted to call elections for October, complaining that the islands are at a "standstill". The call for elections was rejected by the governor after consultation with the Foreign Office in London.

The degree of the collapse of good governance of the Turks and Caicos – home to some 30,000 people – has emerged in testimony presented to an inquiry headed by Sir Robin Auld, a former high court judge. That inquiry was established after a delegation of visiting British MPs reported that a "climate of fear" existed on the islands.

So we just wait!

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Tags: Turks and Caicos Islands, Caribbean, News