War of words heats up in TCI

(CNS): Following the Turks and Caicos governor’s call for the former premier to return to the islands to face the special prosecution team investigating corruption, Michael Misick has hit back at Ric Todd accusing him of corruption and telling “vicious lies” about him and his administration which he says are being sent out in official releases not just to the TCI but the regional and international press as well. He said the world needed to know that the Sir Robin Auld Report was based on hearsay, fabrication and lies and part of a political witch-hunt that was “designed to destroy the reputation of members of my administration” and others in the islands.

“I think it is time that we as Turks and Caicos Islanders come together and start to tell the world the truth about what is happening in this country under direct rule by the United Kingdom, instead of allowing them to tarnish the reputation of our people and of our country,” Misick said in his latest release to the media. “….Since 2009 when the Brits hijacked democracy from the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, there has been blatant and systemic corruption taking place under and by members of the Interim Administration. I am therefore calling on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the UK Parliament to have a Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of the Interim Administration under Governor Gordon Wetherell and Governor Ric Todd.”

He said he was sure they would find evidence of the biggest financial and expenses scandal in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“There needs to be full investigation into the conduct and practices of certain past and present British Advisers, many of whom are involved or were involved in matters that are clear conflicts of interest,” Misick claimed.

He spoke about concessions and deals allegedly being given to British advisers and asked for full disclosure on the $11million per annum being spent by the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) as he accused them of staying in luxury beach-front accommodation.

Misick said there was a climate of fear and victimization under the British and people are afraid to speak out “because they don’t want to be arrested and charged by the SIPT,” or lose their job. 

He also claimed that there was nothing wrong with what had happened in his administration and said it was nothing different from what happens elsewhere when politicians help their people.

“Regional leaders, Caribbean people and the rest of the world need to know that what they are accusing us for in the Turks and Caicos Islands is nothing more or different than what happens in each and every Caribbean country where politicians look out for their people and their constituents and implement policies and programmes that are designed to empower their people,” he added.

The former premeir who is currently in exile said that Todd and his “gang of ruthless, uncaring advisors” were trying to give the he impression that politicians in the TCI “were a group of bandits,”  simply to divert attention from what he said was the UK ruler’s “corrupt activities and cronyism,” as he called for   Todd to resign.

He said he was calling on William Hague the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to recall Todd and set a date for elections as well as a referendum on the future relationship of the Turks and Caicos Islands with Britain.