TCI Governor issues Statement after Political Leaders make ‘sketchy’ announcements 

Turks and Caicos, January 26, 2025 – In line with my constitutional responsibilities to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, national security and for transparency, I confirm I have taken the following action further to concerns that have been raised.

Yesterday evening, I received a letter from the Hon. Leader of the Opposition setting out his concerns about the Hon. Premier’s comments, at a political rally on 18 January 2025, concerning information that alleges an intention of the opposition party to set the dump on fire the night before the election.

I raised the matter with the Hon. Premier today, who confirmed he did make those comments further to information that had been passed to him. Although not his intention, he acknowledged that such commentary has the potential to incite disorder or criminality.

He has undertaken to clarify his comments at the next public opportunity to mitigate such risks and separately, to ensure the information has been reported appropriately to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

Similarly, I confirm that I raised with the Hon. Leader of the Opposition concerns raised about his own commentary made in the immediate aftermath of the recent fatal incident, at a rally on 18 January 2025. The Hon. Leader of the Opposition acknowledged the potential for such commentary to be misconstrued and the need to be mindful.

In this heightened climate, I remind everyone of the importance of maintaining public standards of accountability and their responsibilities in safeguarding the safety of our communities.