UKOTA led by TCI Premier Washington Misick to stand against Constitutional interruption in BVI

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, May 12, 2022 – TCI Premier Washington Missick, in his capacity as President of the United Kingdom Overseas Territory Association has written a letter to the Government of the UK lobbying against the partial suspension of the constitution of the British Virgin Islands as recommended by a recent Commission of Inquiry report into the governance of the country.

“I have been involved in trying to corral my Caribbean counterparts to have a consensus to put to the UK government.” He explained

The Premier made it clear that the letter was not to be taken as a comment on the inquiry itself but as an advisory specifically on the recommendation to suspend the constitution. He also made it clear they were not commenting on the BVI Premier’s drug charges saying it was ‘above his pay grade.’

“The following are the views of the Overseas Territory heads regarding the  recommended suspension of the constitution of the British Virgin Islands.  We make clear that our recommendation relates only to the recommendation in the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry and should  not be taken as a comment on the Commission of Inquiry itself.

Further we make no comments on the issue currently unfolding in the United States of America as they relate to the BVI,” said Hon Misick.

“The following are our jointly held positions.  The Commission of Inquiry justifies a course correction in the BVI but the suspension of the constitution is an extreme measure which in our view can never be justified.  In our opinion an alternative course correction is possible and ought to be found.”

The Premier was verbally supported by the TCI’s Opposition Leader in the House of Assembly.  In a show of solidarity the two have now made plans to write a separate letter to offer support to the people of the BVI from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition in his own statement was explicitly clear on his position on the matter.

“Instead of kicking off the government and going to direct British rule they will allow the people to go to fresh elections… we see the damage and setbacks it has done to the Turks and Caicos.  Some may say some good came out of it but there were more setbacks to our constitution than anything else.”

The letter from the UK Overseas Territories Association has been shared with the deputy premier of the BVI; however it is unclear if that communication has been furthered to the United Kingdom for consideration.