The Governor’s Office of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) confirms the arrival of Premier Michael Misick at the JAGS McCartney International Airport, in the capital Grand Turk, this morning, Tuesday, 7 January 2014.
“The UK Government welcomes the arrival of former Premier Michael Misick in Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to face a number of serious charges relating to corruption and maladministration during his time in office. They are most grateful to the Brazilian authorities for their swift handling of TCI’s extradition request.
“It is important for the people of TCI, a UK Overseas Territory, that the rule of law is respected and due process is followed. It will now be down to the TCI Courts to consider Michael Misick’s case as well as that of 14 others charged with similar offenses.”
In 2008-2009 Sir Robin Auld led a Commission of Inquiry, which found there was “a high probability of systemic corruption in government and the legislature and among public officers in the Turks & Caicos Islands”.
In the wake of this Inquiry, UK Ministers instructed then Governor Gordon Wetherill to suspend parts of the Constitution that led to the setting up of an Interim Administration.
In 2010 a Special Investigation and Prosecution Team was set up to look into the corruption allegations. It comprised of up to 33 ex-UK police investigators and prosecutors, at its height, working along the TCI authorities.
Over the next three years, many reforms took place to stabilize finances, improving the public sector and the economy.
Elections were then held in 2012 to return TCI to elected government rule. The UK continues to support the TCI, including a loan guarantee of up to US$260million and technical assistance for reform programs.
Currently, 14 people have been charged, 10 of whom are in Court this week for a Plea and Directions Hearing with full trial planned for July 2014.
Once former Premier Michael Misick was implicated in the investigations, he fled but was subsequently arrested in Brazil last December under an Interpol provisional arrest warrant. TCI sought the extradition from Brazil and this has now been granted.
