Mr Robert C. Hall, a former Turks of Caicos (TCI) Minister of Government says allegations of corruption in the Michael E. Misick administration, and questions over the handling of the financing of the territory were all precursors to the second CoI that eventually oust the Misick Government and resulted in a UK takeover of the territory. Photo: Internet Source

Appearing as a virtual guest on the October 14, 2021, edition of the Honestly Speaking show moderated by Claude O. Skelton-Cline, Mr. Hall, who also served as a former Speaker of the TCI House of Assembly (HoA) has painted a picture of striking similarities with the 2008/2009 era TCI CoI and the ongoing CoI in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Facebook

The Attorney General (AG) of the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly, Hon Dawn J. Smith, has reason to blast the UK-sponsored Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry for what she called a ‘misleading and damaging impression’ portrait by the CoI team against the Government and a sitting Minister. Right is CoI Commissioner Gar R. Hickinbottom. Photo: VINO/File

Appearing as a virtual guest on the October 14, 2021, edition of the Honestly Speaking show moderated by Claude O. Skelton-Cline, Mr Hall, who also served as a former Speaker of the TCI House of Assembly (HoA), has painted a picture of striking similarities with the 2008/2009 era TCI CoI and the ongoing CoI in the Virgin Islands (VI).

Allegations of corruption 

“There were several allegations about corruption in the Michael Misick administration, there were serious questions about how he handled the finances of the country,” Mr Hall told host Skelton-Cline. 

“There were questions about how Island Status, at that time they call it Belongership was issued, now we call it Turks and Caicos Islands status.” 

He said the Government previously had the powers to grant citizenship to anyone whom they felt had made a worthwhile contribution to the islands; however, those powers are now vested in the Attorney General, something which he has opposed. 

Hall said more questions were also raised regarding how crown lands were being handled and allocated.

Similar situation in the VI? 

Mr Hall's recall of the issues that sparked the TCI CoI, today in the Virgin Islands (VI) is in resemblance to the VI CoI led by Uk appointed commissioner Sit Gary R. Hickinbottom, who has grilled local witnesses on some of the same issues.

While the inquiry itself was based on unfounded allegations of corruption, topics such as COVID-19 financial management, and issuances of belongership status did not escape the scrutiny of the one-man commissioner Hickinbottom and Council to the Commission, Bilal M. Rawat.

As recent as September 30, 2021, local Attorney General Hon Dawn J. Smith has had to reason to rebuke the practices of the CoI as setting out to mislead the public over what was revealed to be a manufactured controversy. 

At a hearing of September 28, 2021, Mr Rawat had asked Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), "How is it that you cannot remember if you granted a rapist Belonger status or not?," which had sparked public outrage. 

CoI misleading public - AG Smith 

According to the AG in a September 30, 2021, letter to the Commissioner, she said “Even allowing for a degree of forensic enthusiasm, this was unfair in the circumstances since the Minister had not been given the opportunity to remind himself of the facts and would obviously not want to provide evidence to the Inquiry that he had not verified, particularly on such a sensitive matter. Furthermore, the tone and manner of the questioning were prosecutorial and accusatory,” Hon Smith revealed.

The AG also revealed that in the subject matter, the individuals had not even been granted Belonger Status or were not under consideration for Belonger Status at the time.

"This means that a false impression has been created (as can be seen in social media posts on this subject) that these persons have indeed been granted Belonger Status by the current Government."

TCI Opposition felt UK would install them - Mr Hall 

Meanwhile, Hall said in the TCI, the then opposition somehow felt that the UK was going to remove the Government and put the Opposition in power.  

He revealed that at the time, the political situation on the ground was one where the opposition and the Misick Government were not united against the CoI. 

He said while there were opportunities to unite, "there was a fair degree of antagonism between the parties, I believe they have now learned their lessons the hard way," he said.   

He further reiterated, "I believe they have now learned their lessons the hard way." 

Gov't & Opposition more united 

The former Minister said, today, and knowing what that they have learned from the CoI, the relationship between the Government and Opposition is a much better one.

He said, "They tend to speak more with a unified voice on many of the contentious issues as it relates to the constitution and the British."