Yesterday, after several delays, Sir Robin Auld submitted the Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into possible government corruption and other serious dishonesty in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) to Governor Gordon Wetherell.

This Report is expected to recommend partial suspension of the TCI Constitution. It will also propose reforms to address systemic weaknesses in legislation, regulation, and administration that have enabled endemic corruption in the TCI. Yet there’s no denying that TCIslanders will be most interested in which individuals the Report recommends should face criminal investigation and prosecution for involvement in this corruption.

Meanwhile, it speaks volumes about the suspended animation of TCIslanders that we lamented the delays in submitting this Final Report. But it also reflects the salutary diligence of the British that they took so much time and care in producing it.

Many TCIslanders now expect this long-awaited submission to automatically bring into force the TCI Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009. This Order should deliver us from “immature [and] irresponsible” PNP rule into the hands of a caretaker government. The new government would be headed by our British Governor and an Advisory Council – comprised mostly of respected TCIslanders.

But I feel obliged to put our understandable expectations into proper perspective.

Understanding the delays

As I previously analyzed regarding TCI commission delays, Sir Robin took pains to explain why there were delays in submitting this Final Report. The delays were primarily caused by two frustratingly obvious factors: the refusal of government ministers to cooperate fully with the Inquiry, and Sir Robin’s efforts to accord them extraordinary procedural due process. This was frustratingly obvious to observers.

Similarly, Governor Gordon Wetherell has explained why we must endure a further period of suspended animation. This period runs from the time he receives the Report to the moment he brings the Order into force.

This waiting period, which begins today, is necessary for several reasons. It enables the Governor, in consultation with other British officials, to review the findings, recommendations, and implications of the Commission’s Report. They also need to seek legal advice to deal with the notorious challenges that have been filed by those the Report implicates. Additional challenges may yet be filed to hinder this process.

What comes next

However, I can assure you that all attempts to prevent Governor Wetherell from publishing this Report and bringing the Order into force will fail. Just as all attempts to constrain Sir Robin from even conducting this Inquiry failed, these new efforts will also prove unsuccessful. In the meantime, I beg your patience as these consultations and legal challenges unfold.

No doubt many prominent individuals in our country have much to fear from the publication of this Report. They have even more to lose from the prosecutions that are bound to follow. Therefore, they will act accordingly.

Despite all of the political gamesmanship and legal maneuvering that are about to be played out, I am confident that Governor Wetherell will bring the Order into force as expeditiously as possible. I expect this to happen within weeks.

At that time, the office of premier will be vacated. All cabinet ministers will be fired, the House of Assembly will be dissolved, and the formal rescue of our national government and recovery of our public assets will begin.

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