The period spanning 1976 to 1986 marked a decade since the establishment of ministerial government in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). During these years, the territory experienced significant upheaval, which would later impact its political landscape. The events that unfolded were characterized by instability, corruption, and controversy, making this a particularly tumultuous chapter in the history of TCI.
The Miami Affair and Its Aftermath
The Miami Affair of 1985 created a significant disruption in the political landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands. As a direct result of this incident, three seats in the Legislative Assembly became vacant when the Chief Minister and two of his colleagues were incarcerated in Miami, Florida, on March 5th, 1985.
The vacancies necessitated a by-election, which was subsequently won by the ruling Peoples National Party (PNP), allowing them to maintain their 8–3 majority in the Legislative Assembly. Despite the PNP’s continued dominance, there was a widespread belief among the populace that the election outcome was influenced more by sympathy for the party than by true political allegiance. Following the by-election, a new Chief Minister was chosen. However, stability remained elusive, as one of the former ministers later resigned, which led to the appointment of one of the newly elected members to fill the vacant ministerial position.
Government Dissolution and Resignation of the Chief Minister
Sixteen months after the new leadership of the Peoples National Party (PNP) took office, a major crisis erupted. The newly elected Chief Minister, along with three of his ministerial colleagues, were compelled to resign. This drastic action followed the intervention of the British Parliament, which dissolved the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in response to allegations of corruption.
The allegations specifically targeted the Chief Minister, accusing him of corrupt practices and malpractice during his tenure as Minister in the Public Works Department, with incidents dating back to 1980. The Chief Minister did not resign quietly. He voiced his opposition and warned that any efforts to remove him from office would trigger a strong reaction from his supporters, as reported by the UPI Archives on July 25th, 1986.
He further expressed his frustration and sense of inevitability regarding his resignation and was also quoted by the British Daily Telegraph newspaper as saying “I have quit with much protest because I have no option. These charges are highly inaccurate and unfounded.’’ He further lashed out, ‘’Britain is just a damned second-rate puppet to the Americans who told them to do this to their little black colony.’’
Transition to Direct British Rule
Following the resignation of the Chief Minister and several members of his cabinet, Governor Christopher Turner addressed the residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands in a broadcast on Radio Turks and Caicos (RTC). He assured the population that he would assume full authority over the territory, with an explicit commitment to safeguarding their rights during this period of political uncertainty. This declaration signified the commencement of direct British rule over the islands.
Governor Turner explained further that, for an interim period, the administration of the government would proceed with the guidance and support of Turks and Caicos Islanders. These individuals were carefully selected based on their reputation within the community and their demonstrated ability to serve the country with honor, dignity, and impartiality. To ensure balanced governance, the Governor chose advisors from both within the government and from the broader society to assist in managing the affairs of the islands during this transitional phase.
British Parliamentary Statement on Turks and Caicos Islands
On July 25th, 1986, the British Parliament convened to address the ongoing situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. During this session, Baroness Young requested permission from the House in order to reiterate a statement concerning the Turks and Caicos Islands that had previously been delivered in another venue by the Honourable Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Mr. Tim Eggar. The contents of this statement were presented to the House, providing a formal update on the developments and actions taken in relation to the political and administrative crisis in the territory. The statement was as follows:
On 27th March, (1986) the House was informed that a Commission of Inquiry had been set up by the Governor of the TCI. The Commission was asked to investigate allegations of arson of government offices, corruption in the Public Works Department and related issues and to investigate serious allegations of misconduct in the TCI.
Commission of Inquiry: Appointment and Proceedings
Following the mounting allegations of corruption and arson within the Turks and Caicos Islands government, Mr. Louis Blom-Cooper, Queen’s Counsel, was appointed as Commissioner.
Mr. Blom-Cooper was born in London and pursued legal studies at several renowned institutions. He attended Kings College, London, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and Municipal University of Amsterdam, ultimately earning his doctorate in 1964.
His appointment was formalized under a warrant signed and issued by Governor Christopher Turner on April 14th, 1986. Mr. Blom-Cooper was instructed to conduct an inquiry on Grand Turk, with the expectation to deliver his findings by July 1st, 1986.
Investigation into Arson at Bascomb House
The Commission was specifically tasked with examining allegations of arson targeting a public building, namely Bascomb House, located on the island of Grand Turk. In addition to Bascomb House, the inquiry extended to other government offices believed to have been affected by unknown individuals. Bascomb House held considerable significance for the community, as it not only accommodated government offices but also served as the headquarters of the Philatelic Bureau. The Bureau was responsible for selling commemorative Turks and Caicos Islands stamps, which represented a substantial source of revenue for the country. The loss of Bascomb House, therefore, had far-reaching implications, impacting both government operations and the local economy.
Clarification of Arson Incident and Government Response
The issue of arson in the Turks and Caicos Islands was brought again into focus when Baroness Gardiner of Parkes requested information from Her Majesty’s Government regarding the events following the destruction of a government office building on December 31, 1985.
In response, the Minister of State for Defense Support, Lord Trefgarne, explained that several government offices in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a United Kingdom Dependent Territory, had been severely damaged by fire on New Year’s Eve.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force indicated evidence of arson, leading authorities to suspect that these fires were deliberately set.
Additionally, there were suggestions that a conspiracy existed to commit arson and potentially other serious offenses. After consulting with the Governor of the Islands and prioritizing the need for effective governance, it was determined that a Commission of Inquiry should be established to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The Commission commenced its work on April 15th, 1986, in the Supreme Court located in Grand Turk. The initial session focused on outlining the procedures that would govern the inquiry. At this stage, the Commission also heard applications for legal representation from any party who might be affected by or have an interest in the proceedings. Oral hearings officially began on April 17th, 1986, marking the start of the investigation into the specified allegations.
The terms of reference for the Commission were: –
i. To inquire into alleged arson of government offices on Grand Turk; and into
ii. Allegations of corruption in Public Works Department; and into
iii. Any other matters related thereto:
Findings of the Commission
The Commission’s investigation revealed serious misconduct at the highest levels of government. The Chief Minister, along with two of his ministerial colleagues, were found to have engaged in actions that were not only unconstitutional but also indicative of political discrimination and administrative malpractice. As a result, the Commission concluded that these individuals were unfit to continue serving in ministerial positions.
Remarkably, this pattern of corruption persisted for decades. Twenty-three years later, in 2009, Sir Robin Auld led another Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the Turks and Caicos Islands. His findings echoed those of the earlier investigation, describing corruption as systemic rather than isolated. This continuity underscores that, since the original Commission’s report in 1986, little progress had been made in addressing or eradicating corrupt practices within the territory’s government.
Opposition Involvement and Political Protest
While the Commission’s investigation primarily exposed misconduct within the government, it also uncovered concerning actions among members of the opposition. Two senior opposition figures were implicated in a conspiracy to commit public order offenses, with the intention of destabilizing or overthrowing the current administration. The inquiry noted that this behavior was not isolated, but rather symptomatic of a larger issue.
Sir Robin Auld highlighted the pervasive influence of patronage across the political system, observing that it had corrupted the mechanisms of protest and dissent. As a result, he opined that the opposition resorted to these extreme measures, perceiving them as the only viable means to express their discontent and challenge the government’s practices.
Suggested Way Forward
Insights for Progress
Blom-Cooper did not simply expose the discrepancies and misconduct at the highest levels of government; he also offered guidance on how the country could move forward to prevent similar issues from recurring. His approach emphasized the need to correct past mistakes and establish a competent administration capable of upholding ethical standards and good governance.
Reforming the Administrative Structure
One of the initial steps proposed was to address the administrative structure of the islands. This reform would ensure that ministerial misconduct is met with appropriate checks and balances. The rationale behind the drafting of the 1976 Constitution, which introduced Ministerial Government, was to grant local ministers broad responsibilities in preparation for eventual independence. However, the conduct observed during this period deviated significantly from these intentions, representing a clear
misrepresentation of the original purpose.
As a result of the Miami Affair, the UK Government, as a matter of foreign policy sought to establish closer international cooperation with other Caribbean leaders as well as governance in Latin America in order to develop deeper acquaintances and relatively political support for smaller Overseas Territories like the TCI.
Key Policy Issues: Independence and Aid
In addition to the administrative reforms, two significant policy issues were under consideration. The first pertained to the potential question of independence for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Baroness Young clarified that, at the time, independence was not a request initiated by the TCI. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that should such a request arise in the future, it would warrant thoughtful deliberation. Her response indicated that no definitive stance or decision was made; instead, the subject was left open for future discussion.
The second policy issue concerned the matter of aid provided to the TCI. At that point, the United Kingdom was supplying approximately five million pounds annually in assistance, with 1.5 million pounds allocated as direct budgetary support. Beyond this financial aid, the UK also intended to offer additional assistance specifically to bolster certain key positions within the current administration, supporting the territory’s governance and operational needs.
Blom-Cooper’s View
Although Blom-Cooper undertook a thorough Commission of Inquiry, it was clear from his report that he harbored significant concerns about the state of governance. He did not shy away from articulating these issues, warning of the potential consequences if meaningful action was not taken to address the problems he identified.
Blom-Cooper cautioned that, “If nothing is done about this depressing state of public affairs, the disease in the body politic that I have identified may all too readily become – if it is not already – endemic and ineradicable for the present generation of islanders or as Simon Winchester puts it pithily in his lively book, Outposts (1985) ‘an ailment intreated has a way of becoming an affliction untouchable’. Mr. Winchester, however, would seem to offer little or no hope of a cure for such political ills.”
As forementioned, almost two decades following the Blom-Cooper Report, the country found itself once again at this same political crossroads.
Sir Robin Auld, in his 2009 Commission of Inquiry, referred to the level of corruption in the TCI as systemic. This leaves one to conclude that the powers that be, are unfortunately portrayed as having neither the energy nor the inclination to turn their gaze away from the cosmic problems of the international community and deal with the less pressing problems associated with the few tiny scattered islands that remain geographically remote and politically peripheral reminders of a lost empire.
Parting Words
A lingering question remains for many: When will the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands find the resolve to nurture and lead their institutions to fulfill their duties in a manner free from the influence of corruption? The aspiration is for these institutions to operate based on strong moral and ethical standards, rather than being shaped by improper influences.
Although certain institutions were established with the intention of addressing corruption and promoting good governance, there is a noticeable decline in public trust and confidence in these bodies. This erosion of faith underscores the need for genuine reforms that restore integrity and accountability within the institutions tasked with safeguarding the public interest.
About the Author:
•Dr Carlton Mills is a graduate of Excelsior Community College and the University of the West Indies where he pursued his training in teacher education and bachelor’s in history respectively. He is also a graduate of the University of London, Bristol and Sheffield where he pursued his Master’s and Doctorate in Education respectively.
Dr. Mills was appointed as Minister of Education in 2007 where he served until February 2009. Following the suspension of the TCI Constitution, he was invited by the governor to serve on the Advisory Council. He served for six months before resigning. He has written several articles for journals and chapters in other books and presented papers at various conferences in the region and in the UK.
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