PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Thursday, July 2nd 2009 – “On 16 March 2009, I published the Interim Report of the Commission of Inquiry into whether there was information that corruption or other serious dishonesty in relation to past and present elected members of the TCI House of Assembly may have taken place in recent years. In his Interim Report, the Commissioner, the Rt Hon Sir Robin Auld, found there was information in abundance pointing to a high probability of systemic corruption or serious dishonesty. In Sir Robin’s view this, together with clear signs of political amorality and immaturity and of general administrative incompetence, demonstrated a need for urgent suspension in whole or in part of the Constitution and for other legislative and administrative reforms.
On 31 May Sir Robin Auld delivered his Final Report to me.
In that Report, the Commissioner has confirmed that nothing that has happened since he submitted his Interim Report has prompted him to change his original view. His close examination of the information and evidence before the Inquiry has reinforced, not weakened, his conviction of a need for urgent and wide-ranging systemic change.
On systemic weaknesses, he confirms the recommendations in his Interim Report covering the Partial Suspension of the Constitution and Interim Direct Rule, Criminal Sanctions and Civil Recovery, Integrity in Public Life, Crown Land Allocation, Sale and Management, and a New Constitution. Some recommendations focus on deterring or preventing corruption and other serious dishonesty, and others look at the broader constitutional and statutory framework of governance. He recommends the appointment of an independent expert on the management and allocation of Crown Land as well as strengthening the Governor’s Office and Attorney General’s chambers.
The Commissioner’s Final Report also makes preliminary findings and recommendations including the institution of crimin
