The SIPT have received a number of questions from the media concerning progress, funding and activities; The SIPT has been fully operational now for 14 months and has had a permanent presence on the island since April 2010. The SIPT are very aware that the public want to know more about their activities, but the investigation has entered a phase where its activities within the TCI and elsewhere in the world have to be kept confidential, to protect the integrity of the investigation and the rights of those individuals involved.
The SIPT continue to make good progress and are keeping to their targets and deadlines. This has been achieved with the help, support and cooperation of the TCI communities throughout the difficult period that they find themselves in.
SIPT investigators have interviewed a large number of persons across the islands, including former Ministers and in other foreign jurisdictions in the US, Canada and Europe. We are working jointly with other law enforcement bodies in these areas to pursue information and evidence pertinent to the SIPT mandate. A considerable number of statements have been obtained which cover the wide range of investigations that the SIPT have been asked to carry out. Arrests have been made and search warrants executed.
1. Budgeting – The SIPT submitted a budget in September 2009 which was approved. There was no increase in budget for the financial year 2010-11 and none planned for this financial year (2011-12). Despite the remit of the SIPT widening considerably during the 2010-11 financial year, the SIPT have ended that period under spent by over 12.5%. The SIPT are ever conscious about the cost of the investigations and seek every opportunity to reduce costs where possible. The challenge continues, to provide value for money for the TCIG and to continue to ensure financial prudence across all areas.
2. Veranda Accommodation – The move to the Veranda for the SIPT achieved a saving of over 25% on the previous accommodation costs and allow for more accommodation at a lower cost. All SIPT staff share self-catering accommodation on island.
