National Integrity System Country Report: Turks and Caicos Islands
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House of Lords Official Report
Vol. 712 Thursday No. 101 2 July 2009 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) HOUSE OF LORDS OFFICIAL REPORT ORDER OF BUSINESS Royal Assent Questions Energy Performance Certificates Disabled People: UN Convention EU: Financial Institutions Comprehensive Spending Review Parliamentary Standards Bill First Reading Five Statutory Instruments Motions to Refer to Grand Committee Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill Committee (4th Day) Swine Flu Statement Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (Violent Offender Orders) (Notification Requirements) Regulations 2009 Motion to Approve Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (Foreign Travel Notification Requirements) Regulations 2009 Motion to Approve Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill Committee (4th Day) (Continued) Grand Committee Welfare Reform Bill Committee (8th Day) Written Statements Written Answers For column numbers see back page £3·50 Lords wishing to be supplied with these Daily Reports should give notice to this effect to the Printed Paper Office. The bound volumes also will be sent to those Peers who similarly notify their wish to receive them. No proofs of Daily Reports are provided. Corrections for the bound volume which Lords wish to suggest to the report of their speeches should be clearly indicated in a copy of the Daily Report, which, with the column numbers concerned shown on the front cover, should be sent to the Editor of Debates, House of Lords, within 14 days of the date of the Daily Report. This issue of the Official Report is also available on the Internet at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/index/090702.html PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords £3·50 Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords £525 WEEKLY HANSARD Single copies: Commons, £12; Lords £6 Annual subscriptions: Commons, £440; Lords £255 Index—Single copies: Commons, £6·80—published every three weeks Annual subscriptions: Commons, £125; Lords, £65. -
The Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands Standard Note: SN/IA/5038 Last updated: 11 April 2012 Author: Jon Lunn and Gavin Thompson Section International Affairs and Defence Section; Economic Policy and Statistics Section This note briefly reviews the crisis of political and economic governance which has affected the Turks and Caicos Islands since 2008, leading to the imposition of direct rule, the launching of anti-corruption investigations and, with the economy experiencing serious problems, the exceptional introduction by the British Government of a rescue package in the form of a loan guarantee of £160 million over five years. The British Government has expressed the hope that elections for a new Turks and Caicos Government can take place in 2012, bringing direct rule to an end. Direct rule has caused considerable discontent amongst some sections of the local population. Contents 1 Background 2 2 Developments under the current Government 2 2.1 May-December 2010 2 2.2 2011 3 DFID loan guarantee 3 A new Constitution approved 4 Other developments 4 2.3 Developments during 2012 6 3 Further reading 9 This information is provided to Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary duties and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. It should not be relied upon as being up to date; the law or policies may have changed since it was last updated; and it should not be relied upon as legal or professional advice or as a substitute for it. A suitably qualified professional should be consulted if specific advice or information is required. -
TCI Inquiry Report
Turks and Caicos Islands Commission of Inquiry 2008‐2009 into possible corruption or other serious dishonesty in relation to past and present elected members of the Legislature in recent years Report of the Commissioner The Right Honourable Sir Robin Auld Presented to His Excellency, Gordon Wetherell, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands TURKS and CAICOS ISLANDS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO GOVERNMENTAL CORRUPTION REPORT CONTENTS Page No Appointment of Commission 5 Submission of Report to the Governor 7 Acknowledgements 9 Summary of the Report 11 1 ‐ INTRODUCTION The Nature of th e Inquiry 14 Brief Description of the Turks and Caicos Islands 17 Short History of the Islands 19 Matters giving rise to the Commission’s appointment 27 Scope and conduct of the Commission’s Inquiry 31 2 ‐ CORRUPTION Introduction 48 Conflicts of interest 52 Disclosure of interests 55 Politics and political donations 62 Belongership 67 1 Constitutional Watch Dogs 69 3 ‐ CONTEXT OF CORRUPTION Abuse of office and of the political and electoral process 77 Crown Land 81 Public contracts 100 Immigration and permission to work 104 Revenues and Exemptions 108 4 ‐ INFORMATION OF POSSIBLE CORRUPTION AND/OR OTHER SERIOUS DISHONESTY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction 113 The Hon Michael Misick Background 114 Declarations of Interests 119 Disclosure of Interests to the Commission 119 Political Donations or ‘Loans’ 120 Other Payments 125 Tourism 132 Use of Government and leased aircraft 138 Casablanca Casino and the Windsor Investment Group Ltd 141 Joe Grant Cay 146 Salt Cay -
Un-Redacted Report 2009
Turks and Caicos Islands Commission of Inquiry 2008-2009 into possible corruption or other serious dishonesty in relation to past and present elected members of the Legislature in recent years Report of the Commissioner The Right Honourable Sir Robin Auld Note Redactions to this Report have been made on the authority of His Excellency the Governor pursuant to: (a) directions given by the Hon. Chief Justice in proceedings brought by Dr Cem Kinay and others, and Mr Mario Hoffmann; and (b) an assurance given by the Hon. Attorney General in proceeding brought by Mr Jak Civre, regarding its publication at this time. Presented to His Excellency, Gordon Wetherell, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands 1 TURKS and CAICOS ISLANDS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO GOVERNMENTAL CORRUPTION REPORT CONTENTS Page No Appointment of Commission 5 Submission of Report to the Governor 7 Acknowledgements 9 Summary of the Report 11 1 - INTRODUCTION The Nature of the Inquiry 14 Brief Description of the Turks and Caicos Islands 17 Short History of the Islands 19 Matters giving rise to the Commission’s appointment 27 Scope and conduct of the Commission’s Inquiry 31 2 - CORRUPTION Introduction 48 Conflicts of interest 52 Disclosure of interests 55 Politics and political donations 62 Belongership 67 Constitutional Watch Dogs 69 2 3 - CONTEXT OF CORRUPTION Abuse of office and of the political and electoral process 77 Crown Land 81 Public contracts 100 Immigration and permission to work 104 Revenues and Exemptions 108 4 - INFORMATION OF POSSIBLE CORRUPTION AND/OR OTHER -
General Assembly Distr.: General 10 March 2009
United Nations A/AC.109/2009/10 General Assembly Distr.: General 10 March 2009 Original: English Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples Turks and Caicos Islands Working paper prepared by the Secretariat Contents Page I. General ....................................................................... 3 II. Constitutional, legal and political issues ............................................ 4 III. Budget ....................................................................... 8 IV. Economic conditions ............................................................ 9 A. General................................................................... 9 B. Tourism .................................................................. 10 C. Financial services .......................................................... 11 D. Agriculture, fisheries and construction ......................................... 12 E. Infrastructure .............................................................. 12 V. Social conditions ............................................................... 13 A. General................................................................... 13 B. Immigration and labour ..................................................... 13 C. Education, youth and sports .................................................. 14 D. Health.................................................................... 15 E. Crime and justice ......................................................... -
Governance in the UK Overseas Territories: the Case of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Governance in the UK Overseas Territories: The Case of the Turks and Caicos Islands Abstract The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is one of 14 Overseas Territories still overseen by the United Kingdom (UK). Underpinned by tourism, property development and financial services, the TCI experienced economic growth amongst the highest in the world. However, it now appears that this economic success was built on a political, economic and social system that was rotten to the core, and which created “a national emergency” that potentially threatened the very future of the country. The paper considers the report of the recent UK government-appointed Commission of Inquiry into alleged corruption in the TCI, the British decision to impose direct rule, and Caribbean reactions to the affair. More generally, the paper analyses the UK government’s approach to all of its Caribbean Overseas Territories in light of the Commission’s report, and whether UK government policy since the 1999 White Paper “Partnership for Progress and Prosperity”, has therefore failed in terms of instilling and encouraging good governance in the territories. Introduction The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is one of 14 Overseas Territories still overseen by the United Kingdom (UK). Situated to the south of the Bahamas chain and 90 miles north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the TCI has had its own constitutional relationship with the UK since 1976. Under the Constitution there is an allocation of responsibilities between the British Crown, acting through the Governor, and the locally elected TCI government. However, ultimate responsibility lies with the UK, including the power of the Queen to legislate for the TCI by Order in Council. -
The Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands Standard Note: SN05038 Last updated: 31 December 2012 Author: Jon Lunn Section International Affairs and Defence Section This note briefly reviews the crisis of political and economic governance which has affected the Turks and Caicos Islands since 2008, leading to the imposition of direct rule, the launching of anti-corruption investigations (including against senior government figures) and, with the economy experiencing serious problems, the exceptional introduction by the British Government of a rescue package in the form of a loan guarantee of £160 million over five years (2011-16). Significant sections of the local population strongly resented direct rule. With trials now under way and a range of other measures enacted to improve governance, fresh elections were held in November 2012, bringing to an end the period of direct rule. These elections were won narrowly by the Progressive National Party, now under new leadership, which had been in government when the crisis originally broke. The UK is also currently seeking the extradition from Brazil of former Premier Michael Misick, who was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in December 2012 after his application for political asylum was rejected. Only time will tell whether the Turks and Caicos Islands are now set on a new course – and, if so, what that course is. This information is provided to Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary duties and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. It should not be relied upon as being up to date; the law or policies may have changed since it was last updated; and it should not be relied upon as legal or professional advice or as a substitute for it. -
Post-Crisis Female Leadership Signals Competence and Change
Backwards and in Heels: Post-Crisis Female Leadership Signals Competence and Change Dayna Judge Abstract Recent scholarship has suggested that women are more likely to achieve leadership positions during times of crisis, a phenomenon known as the glass cliff. However, most previous research on the glass cliff has been largely descriptive, and fails to adequately test the mechanism(s) at work. It may be the case that men step aside after crisis because failure is likely and the position becomes less valuable. Or the mechanism might be more insidious: women are used as “sacrificial lambs” on whom likely failure can be blamed. Finally, it may be that women are seen as more capable of cleaning up post-crisis, or that they are meant to represent a change from the status quo. This paper examines how well the glass cliff framework fits the selection of women to executive political positions in two notable cases following crises. Using firsthand interviews, it shows that in the cases of the victory of Theresa May in the 2016 UK Conservative Party leadership contest, and the election of Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson as the first female Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, gender operated as a signal of ability to handle the crisis, and as a change from the status quo. Furthermore, this research suggests that this effect operates most strongly when the crisis can be specifically attributed to the preceding male leader, and when the incoming female leader is unassociated with creating the crisis. 1 Introduction In 2016, the British overseas territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) elected its first female premier, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson. -
General Assembly Distr.: General 20 February 2014
United Nations A/AC.109/2014/9 General Assembly Distr.: General 20 February 2014 Original: English Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples Turks and Caicos Islands Working paper prepared by the Secretariat Contents Page The Territory at a glance ........................................................... 3 I. Constitutional, legal and political issues .............................................. 4 II. Budget ......................................................................... 5 III. Economic conditions .............................................................. 6 A. General................................................................... 6 B. Tourism and construction .................................................... 6 C. Financial services .......................................................... 6 D. Agriculture and fisheries .................................................... 7 E. Communications and utilities................................................. 7 IV. Social conditions ................................................................. 8 A. General................................................................... 8 B. Labour and immigration ..................................................... 8 C. Education ................................................................. 9 Note: The information contained in the present working paper has been derived from public sources, including those of the -
The Election Observation Mission to the Turks And
THE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, CARRIED OUT BY THE BRITISH ISLANDS AND MEDITERRANEAN REGION OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION OF THE (CPA BIMR) 15th December 2016 Elections to the House of Assembly FINAL REPORT The Mission would like to thank the Governor and his staff, political parties, media, the electoral authorities, police and most importantly the voters for their cooperation and assistance, and for placing no impediments to observation activities. 1 CONTENTS Executive Summary 3 Political Background 4 Legislative Framework and Electoral System 4 Electoral System 7 The Right to Vote and Voter Registration 7 Candidate Registration 9 Campaign and Campaign Finance 10 Election Administration 11 Complaints and Appeals 12 Voting and Counting of Votes 12 Mission Information 14 Appendix 16 2 Executive Summary The Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the Turks and Caicos Islands took place between 8th and 18th December 2016, and was made up of six members. The observers found that the voting and counting process was good or very good in all polling stations visited. Voting was broadly orderly and transparent, and counting was conducted in a transparent and generally well- organised manner. The increase in the number of polling stations and officials is to be welcomed, however there were still some long queues after opening. The main problem observed was a lack of consistency, particularly as regards to the layout of polling stations, the way in which Presiding Officers checked their initials on the ballot, and the information that was handwritten on the ballot’s counterfoil. However, it is important to stress that these inconsistencies did not have an impact upon the integrity of the process. -
General Assembly Distr.: General 8 March 2013
United Nations A/AC.109/2013/12 General Assembly Distr.: General 8 March 2013 Original: English Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples Turks and Caicos Islands Working paper prepared by the Secretariat Contents Page The Territory at a glance ......................................................... 3 I. Constitutional, legal and political issues ............................................ 4 II. Budget ....................................................................... 6 III. Economic conditions ............................................................ 6 A. General................................................................... 6 B. Tourism .................................................................. 6 C. Financial services .......................................................... 7 D. Agriculture and fisheries .................................................... 7 E. Communications and construction............................................. 7 IV. Social conditions ............................................................... 8 A. General................................................................... 8 B. Labour and immigration ..................................................... 8 C. Education ................................................................. 8 Note: The information contained in the present working paper has been derived from public sources, including those of the territorial Government, -
The Caribbean Overseas Territories and the Limits of Autonomy
The Non-Self Governing Territories of the Caribbean and Debates over Autonomy General Survey The Non-Self Governing Territories of the Caribbean and Debates over Autonomy Dr Peter Clegg Introduction Nineteen countries in the Caribbean region (from the Cayman Islands in the west to Martinique in the east, and from the Turks and Caicos Islands in the north to French Guiana in the south, plus Bermuda, located in the West Atlantic but often grouped with the Caribbean territories) are not independent sovereign states; rather they retain constitutional relationships, albeit under different systems, with their original metropolitan powers. At present, none of the countries wishes to make the move towards independence. However, many governments and political parties in the territories are not satisfied with the status quo, and thus there has been considerable debate with regard to the extent to which greater autonomy might be provided to them. While the metropolitan powers have been generally willing to grant more autonomy, a situation is now developing whereby further significant change is unlikely, and in some cases there has in fact been a moderate repatriation of powers. This essay considers the nature of the political relationships in place, the important reforms that are being undertaken in an attempt to re-energize and reorganize links between the non-self-governing territories of the Caribbean and their metropolitan centres, and the likelihood that an end point is being neared with regard to the awarding of further autonomy – unless of course independence becomes the favoured option. This essay also looks at the increasingly important relationship that the European Union (EU) has with some of the territories, and how this link also influences the autonomy debate.