Yesterday, after several delays, Sir Robin Auld submitted the Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into possible government corruption and other serious dishonesty in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to Governor Gordon Wetherell.
This Report is expected to recommend partial suspension of the TCI Constitution, as well as reforms to redress systemic weaknesses in legislation, regulation and administration that have given rise to endemic corruption in the TCI. Yet there’s no denying that TCIslanders will be most interested in which individuals the Report recommends should face criminal investigation and prosecution for involvement in this corruption.
Meanwhile, it says as much about the suspended animation of TCIslanders that we lamented the delays in submitting this Final Report as it does about the salutary diligence of the British that they took so much time and care in producing it.
And it is now self-evident that many TCIslanders are expecting this long-awaited submission to automatically bring into force the TCI Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009. This Order shall deliver us from “immature [and] irresponsible” PNP rule into the hands of a caretaker government headed by our British Governor and an Advisory Council – comprised mostly of respected TCIslanders.
But I feel obliged to put our understandable expectations in this respect into proper perspective:
Recall that Sir Robin took pains to explain why there were delays in submitting this Final Report. Never mind how frustratingly obvious it was that they were caused primarily by the refusal of government ministers to fully cooperate with the Inquiry on the one hand, and by his bending over backwards to accord them extraordinary procedural due process on the other.
In a similar vain, Governor Gordon Wetherell has taken pains to explain why we must endure a further period of suspended animation from the time he receives the Report to the moment he brings the Order into force.
Of course, it should be obvious that this period, which begins today, is necessary to enable the Governor, in consultation with other British officials, to review the findings, recommendations and implications of the Commission’s Report. Not to mention their need to seek legal advice to deal with the notorious challenges that have been filed (and others that may yet be filed) – by those the Report implicates – to hinder this process.
However, I can assure you that, just as all attempts to constrain Sir Robin from even conducting this Inquiry failed, all attempts to prevent Governor Wetherell from publishing this Report and bringing the Order into force will fail as well. In the meantime I beg your patience as these consultations and legal challenges unfold.
No doubt many prominent individuals in our country have much to fear from the publication of this Report, and even more to lose from the prosecutions that are bound to follow. Therefore, they will act accordingly….
But despite all of the political gamesmanship and legal maneuverings that are about to be played out, I am confident that Governor Wetherell will bring the Order into force as expeditiously as possible; i.e., within weeks.
And at that time the office of premier will be vacated, all cabinet ministers will be fired, the House of Assembly will be dissolved, and the formal rescue of our national government and recovery of our public assets will begin.
Related commentaries:
Delay of Commission Report gives TCI government a reprieve
Frank S. Forbes III says
Great insight into our local politics; have yet to meet anyone here that can articulate our cirumstance like you do. I am down in TCI, Provo and am perplexed at the lack of personal responsibility shown especially by the grown men. Blaze a trail Cos. we need all the examples we can muster. It is a pleasure to be able to point to you when looking for clear thinking.