RTC News received the following statement, issued on behalf of the Chair of the Consultative Forum Ms Lillian Missick.
Like all TCIslanders I was shocked and dismayed when I heard the Governor use a profane word during a radio call-in show last week. For this was ill-advised even if, as he claims, he was merely repeating what he thought he heard a caller say.
It is important to appreciate however that the Governor not only apologized immediately but later issued a formal apology to the nation for the obvious offense he caused. He should be commended for this; not least because it stands in instructive contrast to the failure of some local leaders to apologise for causing us far greater offense.
Even in this case, it troubles me that while Mr. Robert Hall, the host of radio show at issue, demanded an apology from the Governor for his momentary lapse in judgment, he did not apologize to the Governor (and to the nation) for sitting by and allowing his callers to show such sustained and appalling lack of respect towards His Excellency.
For it is short-sighted and misguided to think that aiding and abetting our people in showing disrespect for this Governor will not misled them into showing disrespect as a matter of course for all public servants (expatriate and local alike). I fear we will still be suffering the consequences of such contempt for government officials long after this Governor is gone.
Finally, I have been asked by many to comment on the statement former Premier Michael Misick issued on this incident and on the Governor’s response to it. But given that he has yet to offer a single word of contrition for treating our national treasury like his personal piggy bank and is now a fugitive from justice, I do not believe Mr. Misick is in any position to offer anything constructive to our national debate on current affairs.
Therefore, I shall not dignify his statement with any comment. I regret that the Governor did not see fit to do the same.
Lillian Misick
Chair Consultative Forum
