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Suspending constitution is 'taking hammer to kill mosquito'- TCI Public Servant

- Damian D. Wilson says those in TCI who originally supported CoI came to resent it after suspension of constitution
Deputy Director of Radio Turks & Caicos and Former TCI Policy Support/Media & Civil Society Liaison Manager in the Office of the Governor, Damian D. Wilson, says why noting is outright bad and good, the Commission on Inquiry in the Turks and Caicos (TcI) Islands islands resulted in some negative adverse effects for the island. Photo: gov.tc
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI –Deputy Director of Radio Turks and Caicos and Former TCI Policy Support/Media & Civil Society Liaison Manager in the Office of the Governor, Damian D. Wilson, says why noting is outright bad and good, the Commission of Inquiry in the Turks and Caicos (TcI) Islands resulted in some negative adverse effects for the island.

In an interview with 284 Media in the Virgin Islands (VI), Mr Wilson spoke on what effects the CoI and its recommendations had on the territory, including its effects on democracy.

Robin E. Auld CoI Commissioner 

The Turks and Caicos Islands Commission of Inquiry ran from 2008 to 2009 where the Commissioner, The Right Honourable Sir Robin E. Auld found there is a high probability of systemic corruption in government and the legislature and among public officers in the Turks & Caicos Islands in recent years among other findings. 

The Commissioner also recommended criminal investigation by the police or others against five elected Members of the House of Assembly; all of whom had been members of the Cabinet, over possible corruption and/or other serious dishonesty, including misfeasance in public office

As part of his recommendations, Commissioner Auld proposed partial suspension of the TCI 2006 Constitution and Interim Direct Rule from Westminster acting through the Governor to carry out the recommendations. 

Suspend constitution too extreme 

Wilson in his interview said, “The imposition of the suspension of the constitution in my opinion is essentially taking a hammer to kill a mosquito.”

Wilson added that he does not believe that democracy should be suspended over maleficence or abuse of power in public office, “there are avenues in which to handle those types of situations,” he said. 

The added that in his opinion, only acts of war or genocide and in extreme situations would there be better justification for the suspension of a constitution and spoke on more negatives. 

‘Outright, and the most obvious one is the suspension of people’s democratic right to choose their own leadership,” he said. 

Rights taken away - Mr Wilson

“I Don’t think that should happen under no circumstance unless there is life and limb at risk. You should not take away someone’s right to freely choose who they wish to lead them even if you don’t like their choice,” he said.

He added that in the end, even those who supported the CoI, originally came to resent it because of the stain it placed on the territory.

It was also revealed that after the suspension of the Constitution, there was a heavy-handedness with decision making in the territory and everything had to have the approval of the Governor. More changes he said came with the implementation of British officials in Government offices and departments.

12 Responses to “Suspending constitution is 'taking hammer to kill mosquito'- TCI Public Servant”

  • Stained (04/05/2022, 08:24) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
    He added that in the end, even those who supported the CoI, originally came to resent it because of the stain it placed on the territory...... So what? The BVI is already stained because of the Premier's shenanigans!!!!
  • SB (04/05/2022, 08:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    U may got a shok of your life
  • H (04/05/2022, 08:27) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is mr cline in all of this buddy
  • island man (04/05/2022, 08:46) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    ....and sometimes you need to take a hammer to kill a mosquito... a smack don't always do
  • forward people (04/05/2022, 08:52) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    i find we dwell in the past far to much we are 2022

    what is the process should uk takeover what will we as residents or citizens bring to the table in 2022

  • A (04/05/2022, 12:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow!! I listened to this same man on the EarlyMorning Braff Show on Tola radio and he said something far different. While he admitted to some negative result as a result of his country's UK experience, his views were mostly positive. What is happening here? Did I hear wrong or what? Is Mr. Wilson playing from both sides of the table or is someone twisting his story,?
  • News (04/05/2022, 14:54) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Who is is this guy and why he meddling . he fully well would know that our caribbean mosquitoes are huge and carries alot of viruses so we do need a big hammer to rid of them.
  • Hammer on! (04/05/2022, 16:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have some big mosquitos with lots of blood money!
  • Wright (04/05/2022, 16:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well it depends on the size the mosquitoes.The mosquitoes here are so large that a regular hammer would have no effect. The mosquitoes had a grand party here. They drank all the blood from the treasury and left the place in a mess.
  • WHY? (04/05/2022, 17:09) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Should other Caribbean leaders or those politically incline outside of the Virgin Islands determine our destiny? It is "who in the kitchen feel the heat!"

    Do you all want us to succeed or remain in a cesspool? I think the latter! Shut your mouth and kill the 'darn' mosquito with two sledge hammers!!!

    Suspend the Constitution! The elected officials are all parties to the corruption. They think many of us forget that $330,000. Now in the heat of the moment they screaming 'I sorry, I sorry!' By next week they doing the same darn thing. Throw them all out... not one of them with their crocodile tears deserves the word honourable!
  • popeye (05/05/2022, 11:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thats what's needed. ITS A BLOOD SUCKING MOSQUITO.
  • Just like (05/05/2022, 17:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Using a shovel to smoosh a bunch of rats.


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