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Governor speaks to the TCI Published on Thursday, July 2, 2009 Email To Friend    Print Version Governor Gordon Wetherell has provided the TCI with an update on the release of the final report from the Commission of Inquiry and implementation of the Order in Council, which will operate to suspend the TCI constitution in part and the system of ministerial government. The speech delivered from Providenciales via radio and TV did, however, fall short of announcing actions which have long been anticipated. In fact, the final portion of the governor’s speech speaks to this disappointment. Governor Gordon Wetherell “I know that many of you, like me, wish we could have gone further today. But I can reassure you that our objective remains implementation of the Order in Council and publication of the Commission of Inquiry’s Final Report in full. We will not be deflected from that dual objective and will continue to defend legal challenges to its achievement. Meanwhile we are proceeding with implementation of the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations and remain determined to do everything in our power, as swiftly as possible, to tackle systemic corruption and restore good governance in TCI,” the Governor said. In anticipation of the speech many here expected that, at the very least, the Governor would announce cuts in the current cabinet’s salaries and allowances, which the population at large believes are excessive. The Governor acknowledged that the legal proceedings by two property developers and former premier Michael Misick were responsible for the continuing delays in publication of the final report and implementation of the Order in Council. The Governor stated, “Although I had hoped to publish the full Final Report now, I am not yet able to do so owing to legal proceedings brought in TCI by two developers, Dr Cem Kinay and Mr Mario Hoffman. Consequently I hope to publish a redacted version of the Final Report as soon as possible. I remain firmly committed to publishing the full Report and will continue to defend the legal challenges and appeals so that I can do so. I strongly believe that the people of TCI deserve to see the entirety of the Final Report.” “Legal proceedings are also ongoing in the UK, relating to the Order in Council made on 18 March, which would suspend parts of the TCI Constitution. This was to be expected and it will take time for this to run its course,” he added. There was, however, some new information in that the Governor acknowledged that the findings of the Commission of Inquiry largely amplify the original findings published in the interim report. He acknowledged that, in addition to Michael Misick, four other former ministers may face criminal investigation. Evidence from the Commission’s public hearings appears to suggest these would be Floyd Hall, Jeffrey Hall, McAllister Hanchell and Lillian Boyce. In appears also that others in the present government may have been guilty of serious dishonesty. In this regard, the Governor said, “…information... gathered points to a high probability of systemic corruption and/or other serious dishonesty involving past and present elected Members of the Legislature in recent years.” Governor Wetherell also confirmed he has and is installing certain positions recommended by the final report. He told the TCI, “In order to ensure that good governance can be re-established as swiftly as possible in the TCI, I have therefore begun, with the full support and assistance of the UK Government, to appoint experts to work in areas of concern highlighted in the Final Report. These include: a Special Adviser to the Governor to oversee reform of the Public Service; three Public Finance Management Advisers; an Economic Adviser; a Good Governance Adviser; and a Crown Land Adviser. Direct support for my office has also been increased with the appointment of an additional senior official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. “A Special Prosecutor and Head of the Civil and Criminal Recovery Unit, and a Senior Investigating Officer have been identified and the necessary procedures relating to their appointment are now underway. The holders of these positions will work together with a team on the investigations recommended by the Commission. I will announce further details soon.”   Reads : 618 Back... Comments: No comments on this topic yet. Be the first one to submit a comment. Back... Send us your comments!   Send us your comments on this article for publication in our Readers' Forum or as a Letter to the Editor. All fields are required and in the interest of openness and transparency we will no longer accept anonymous submissions. We therefore request that all submissions include a name for publication, regardless of content. 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