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It was ‘a mistake’ to cooperate with UK CoI - former TCI Premier

- Michael E. Misick points to outcome of VI’s CoI as pre-determined with UK agenda; said UK cannot be trusted
A former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Michael E. Misick said it was a mistake to corporate with the UK Commission of Inquiry announced under his administration in 2008, citing UK hidden agendas and a predetermined outcome as a factor. Photo: Internet Source
It should be noted that in the VI, a similar inquiry under the Andrew A. Fahie (R1) government was announced in January of 2021, using almost identical terminology by ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jasper, just a few days before he officially demitted office. Photo: Facebook/File
It should be noted that in the VI, a similar inquiry under the Andrew A. Fahie (R1) government was announced in January of 2021, using almost identical terminology by ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jasper, just a few days before he officially demitted office. Photo: Facebook/File
According to the TCI ex-Premier, the CoI is means for the UK to propose recommendations through its one commissioner and for the territory to accept those recommendations which could include the suspension of the local constitution. Photo: VINO/File
According to the TCI ex-Premier, the CoI is means for the UK to propose recommendations through its one commissioner and for the territory to accept those recommendations which could include the suspension of the local constitution. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Michael E. Misick said it was a mistake to cooperate with the United Kingdom (UK) Commission of Inquiry announced under his administration in 2008, citing UK hidden agendas and a predetermined outcome as a factor.

Mr Misick, who served as Chief Minister from August 2003 to 2006 and then as the territory’s first Premier from August 2006 to March 2009, had an Inquiry into alleged systematic corruption under his administration announced in 2008.

“I am pro-independence, I believe that the relationship between the British government and its colonies is unnatural. I believe every People will have the right to self-determination. I don't think there's any room for colonies in the 21st century… and I’m sure it’s the same in BVI,” Mr Misick said in a Monday, February 15, 2021 interview with 284 Media.

It should be noted that in the VI, a similar inquiry under the Andrew A. Fahie (R1) government was announced in January of 2021, using almost identical terminology by ex-Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, just a few days before he officially demitted office.

Honourable Fahie and his Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration have been pushing a narrative of self-determination, while seeking to have locals occupy senior positions in the public service as against imported labour including from the UK.

Further, the method which Mr Jaspert used, which included keeping the local government in the dark about his intentions while colluding with the UK press, has raised questions about the real motive for the CoI.

‘UK had Hidden Agenda’ - Michael E. Misick

The former TCI Premier said while the UK provides very little financially, they still want to have a strong say in the governing of the territories. He said the CoI led to the democratically elected government of the day receiving the boot out of office.

“In 2008… when the Commission was announced, like your Premier, I said ok fine, I welcome the inquiry, let's see what this systemic corruption that you're talking about is all about, and I and my ministers cooperated fully.”

“To some extent that was a mistake, because they had a hidden agenda. The outcome of the inquiry in my view was pre-determined and they just use the inquiry as a means to do what they already had planned to do,” he said. 

UK used CoI to make recommendations 

According to the ex-Premier, the CoI was a means for the UK to propose recommendations through its one commissioner and for the territory to accept those recommendations, which included the suspension of the constitution.

“So in my mind in 2008, I could not imagine that in the 21st century that the British Government would suspend the constitution, enter an interim administration. Basically, that means that the country was run by a UK Governor, by the UK government in the person of the Governor solely and unilaterally.”

He said while the Governor appointed advisors, at the end of the day “it was a dictatorship, he ran the country.”

UK had other means to investigate corruption 

Mr Misick further remarked that there was absolutely no need for a CoI in his territory given there were other means to investigate allegations of systemic corruption in the territory such as the local police under the purview of the Governor. 

“They used the Commission of Inquiry as an excuse to intervene, and I never expect that to happen… what that has taught me is that you cannot trust them and they are not a people of their word,” he said.

37 Responses to “It was ‘a mistake’ to cooperate with UK CoI - former TCI Premier”

  • Was there a choice.. (16/02/2021, 10:42) Like (38) Dislike (1) Reply
    I want to believe as leaders under the Britain umbrella, u have an obligation to cooperate,, Maybe letting your lawyer do most of the communication instead of always in the media bla bla in, is or was your mistake, same mistake ours making..
  • black (16/02/2021, 10:44) Like (11) Dislike (40) Reply
    Thanks brother for trying to get these guys to understand who and what they done agreeing to with out knowing it.but who don’t hear will soon feel.
    We are being lead to the slaughter just like the good sheeple that they have us to be.
  • Guest (16/02/2021, 10:46) Like (60) Dislike (1) Reply
    Didn’t this jokers own party try to remove him??? Yeah he seems real credible
  • Derval Fletcher (16/02/2021, 10:57) Like (53) Dislike (3) Reply
    The UK presented evidence to support their claims against Michael Misick. This appears to be nothing but the opinion of a bitter ex-premier, who was known for taking handfuls from his country's cookie jar.
  • PT009 (16/02/2021, 10:58) Like (30) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mr Misick You were a Premier and you don't know that the Islands under the UK are not referred to as colonies anymore.

    Why should we listen to independence talk to your people about it? We don't want independence.
    • josiah'sbay (16/02/2021, 17:04) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      @PT009 A colony is a colony by any other name. Speak for yourself when it comes to independence many of us would like self-determination.
  • WWWHHHOOOWW!!!! (16/02/2021, 11:13) Like (43) Dislike (0) Reply
    How you all forget to mention this:

    Misick’s party is alleged to have received US$13.5 million over seven years for “electoral purposes” and the prosecution sad that he spent much of the money on himself, including US$23,000 given to his wardrobe stylist; US$110,000 for a boat charter for Misick’s then-wife, Hollywood actress LisaRaye McCoy, and nine of her friends; and a further US$150,000 apparently debited for furnishings in the newly-built Misick mansion.

    and this....

    The court heard that several large parcels of government land were sold to local people at special discounted rates, then again to investors at market rates, with defendants pocketing the difference.

    Also according to another independent news site he ran for office again and was unsuccessful receiving less than 6% of the votes.
    • josiah'sbay (16/02/2021, 17:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ WWWHHHOOOWW!!!! The concept of crown land for a burgeoning self determining territory don't make much sense. It's the people's land.
  • emperor without clothes (16/02/2021, 11:16) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    foy dressed like he going to a softball game
  • resident (16/02/2021, 11:17) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    Misick noticed it was a mistake when he had to flee to, then be extradited from Brazil!
  • Hey, 284! (16/02/2021, 12:29) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    284 media should interview one of the prosecutors so the people of the BVI can hear what evidence was found against Mr Misick and what form the alleged systematic corruption took.
    For one, it would balance your Misick interview. For two, it might give us an idea of what similar issues might be happening here, and how.
  • just (16/02/2021, 13:09) Like (6) Dislike (32) Reply
    Another racist plot against black peoples of the region
    • @just (16/02/2021, 14:24) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      Really, is that the ONLY way you can see your world? Like, as if every single thing that happens is a plot against you because of your race?
      Simple. Easy, I guess if you slow in the head or lazy. But literally wrong on an infinite number of levels. ie you can see your world through ANY prism you choose. Female? Differently abled? Poor? Gay? Terminally ill? QAnon? - to infinity.
      You can choose to make everything B&W, or you can choose to look for what's actually happening in the world you live in, here and now. When it's B&W, shout it out.
      Just stop putting on B&W glasses for every darn thing. If you do, we might just find a way through all the MASSIVE obstacles we face. Together. Yes. As one. Some black, some brown, some white, some yellow, etc. - all of us different but all of us humans first.
  • Interested (16/02/2021, 13:16) Like (31) Dislike (2) Reply
    He has no credibility. He was guilty as charged
  • Twins (16/02/2021, 14:56) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Michael E. Misick looks like a younger, slimmer Andrew Fahie; are they related?
  • Daily Mail (16/02/2021, 17:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9252237/Ex-Turks-Caicos-PM-brink-walking-free-corruption-trial-halted-judge-death.html
  • BVI-WAKE THE F**K UP (16/02/2021, 17:25) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    Nothing good is coming out of this inquiry. The plan is already set in motion.
    I hope that the BVI government, both sides(including the opposition) have a plan to fight this. Whatsoever recommendation is made, ask yourselves, can it be challenged? To what extent? Can it be delayed? For how long?
    This inquiry is not being treated fairly. They already have a decision. You can already see what this man hicklebottom(or whatsoever his name is) is all about. The UK is not a nice place. Come out of this mindset that the white man has to be in charge. Yes, we (as black folks) will make mistakes and we will learn from them. Right now, the country can run itself however. No white figureheads needed. Slavery has been abolished. If you want Andrew to resign so someone else can lead, do that. Lets be out own ruler. Think Nelson Mandela.
    • josiah'sbay (16/02/2021, 21:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Anything can be challenged but we must have the fortitude to make that challenge. We look at the UK as an omnipotent power and feel that it's sacrilegious to challenge them. We have to start looking at ourselves as equal in humanity and as entitled to the same human consideration as any other people and fight for those rights. It's simple if we want to be ruled by the UK we should select integration as our option.
      • this is so true (17/02/2021, 09:13) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        too many BVislanders and caribbean people still believe in this master and slave mentality. Noone needs to rule you. The current administration is not perfect. However, they are fighting for us. They will make mistakes. Let us live with the consequences. we have to live and learn. You dont need someone telling you what to do all the time. the government now, you have seen them in action. The suing for the failed airline project. Investigating the wall project. They have been hard at work. The projects being given out. You will not like everything that they do, but their actions do not warrant an inquiry. This is Gus flexing his muscles. Yes, Gus has been disrespected too many times but people within government, especially in HOA meetings but he needed to handle these peoples actions and behaviour behind closed doors. If he tried and they did not listen, persecute them, not the entire country. I hope that we wake up and try to fight this. This is 2021, not 1950 or even 1998.
  • From T&C CofI (16/02/2021, 17:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here's something familiar from the T&C report which you can check out, here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/268143/inquiry-report.pdf
    From the summary:
    "Among
the
contributors
to
this
moral,
governmental
and
financial
decline
have
been:

    1)
 the
 potential
 and
 encouragement
 in
 the
 system
 of
 governance
 for
 abuse
 of
 public

    office,
 concealment
 of
 conflicts
 of
 interest
 at
 all
 levels
 of
 public
 life,
 and
 consequent

    venality;
 2)
 the
 power
 of
 politics
 in
 the
 mix
 of
 public
 decision‐making
 and
 commercial

    activity,
and
willingness
of
overseas
developers
and
other
investors
to
exploit
that
power

    for
 their
 own
 purposes;
 3)
 vulnerability
 of
 the
 majority
 of
 the
 Territory’s
 long‐term

    residents,
owing
to
the
precariousness
of
their
permission
to
live
and
work
here,
and
to

    whom
 Belongership
 and,
 with
 it,
 the
 right
 to
 vote
 are
 denied;
 and
 4)
 lack
 of
 effective

    constitutional
 checks
 and
 balances
 in
 the
 system
 of
 governance
 to
 protect
 the
 public
purse,
the
inefficient
from
scrutiny,
the
dishonest
from
discovery
and
the
vulnerable
from

    abuse.
  • Rubber Duck (16/02/2021, 17:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Birds of a feather flock together.
    • asking for a friend (17/02/2021, 11:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The white man was out to get him they thief a lot when they were incharge of the t and c islands

      We can never trust the british
  • Brazil (16/02/2021, 19:20) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why did he run to Brazil and had to be extradited if he was so innocent? One of the worse interviews ever aired. Where was she trained?
  • PT009 (16/02/2021, 20:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    @josiah'sbay, If the BVI were to become independent we will be worse off than we are now, you cant see no further than getting away from the white man once you get away where are you going. By the way, I know I am speaking for a lot of people who are from the BVI when I say we don't want independence so shut your misinformed mouth.
  • PT009 (16/02/2021, 20:45) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    @josiah'sbay Check how many likes you got on your blog.
  • Principles (16/02/2021, 22:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    An investigation should be fair and objective. Everyone involved in an investigation deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Do not prejudge. Wait untill all witnesses have been interviewed and evidence examined before reaching factual determinations and ultimate conclusions. Avoid the appearane of bias If the key parties to a dispute or allegation of misconduct are personally known to the investigator someone independent should be brought in to condict the investigation. Investigate acts of retaliation. If during the investigation it is determined that the accuser is acting out of malice or ill feelings during the accuse then the accuser is not credible.
  • history teacher (16/02/2021, 22:50) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    I believe mistick 100% the British are racist and plant many of the things they said about him

    Stay awoke people
  • Xxx (16/02/2021, 23:17) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    The whole world knew the wicked British made up that stuff on brother Misick now they at it again against Fahie and the BVI.

    Sent of oppressor
  • SB (17/02/2021, 12:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course it was " mistake" for him, the man is currently under indictment for rampant corruption. Which I noticed this story doesn't mention.


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