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Premier set to appear before Commission
PREMIER Michael Misick will be summoned to appear before Commission of Inquiry chiefs within weeks after investigators were refused access to vital documents.
British officials leading the probe into Government corruption say they were denied critical material on a recent trip to the Islands – despite having consent from Governor Gordon Wetherell.
The ruckus has prompted a visit by Commissioner Sir Robin Auld who jetted into the country this week.
The Premier, along with a number of Ministers, will now be hauled before the Commission for cross-examination under oath and forced to produce the requested evidence.
A series of hearings has been scheduled for next month, some of which may be held in public.
A statement published on the Inquiry’s official website on November 6 reveals that “with very few exceptions”, there has been no response from Ministers, other politicians, the former Cabinet Secretary, permanent secretaries and under-secretaries to demands for information.
Commission Secretary Laurance O’Dea and solicitor Jacqueline Duff spent two weeks in the TCI last month as part of the ongoing proceedings.
But, the statement continues: “On their visit to the territory, the solicitor and secretary were unable to obtain access to and inspect many public records and documents that they sought, with the consent of the Governor, to inspect.”
MPs are said to have continued to defy orders to disclose their interests “despite repeated efforts by the Commission in writing to secure full and accurate disclosure.”
Oral hearings will take place throughout December at which people will be summoned or invited to appear.
Last month, the Weekly News announced that Mr O’Dea’s and Ms Duff’s visit to the TCI had been extended by several days to accommodate an influx of Islanders coming forward with material.
Investigators say they welcome the information which is continuing to flood in “in increasing numbers”.
But forthcoming legwork by expert forensic accountants to carry out a meticulous ‘paper trail’ audit into suspected dodgy dealings has had to be suspended due to a lack of cash and the withholding of relevant records.
The statement reads: “The present want of full and accurate disclosure by Ministers and other members of the House of Assembly, little access to public records and documents and lack of ready financial resources have obliged the Commission to defer instructing forensic accountants for the purpose of examining individual transactions.
“It may be that the time and resources required for enlisting such aid would call for consideration after, and in the light of, the Commission’s report when presented to the Governor.”
Mr O’Dea also renewed calls for Islanders with any relevant material to contact him. He stressed that there was no deadline for information as investigations are ongoing.
All discussions will be in complete privacy, if requested, “given the continuing and widely expressed fear of intimidation or victimisation” expressed by Islanders.
It was such trepidation that prompted the UK’s visiting Foreign Affairs Committee to dub the Islands a “climate of fear” in July.
The timeframe for the completion of preliminary findings has been extended to February 16 as evidence to support allegations of rampant corruption continues to abound.
They will be presented to the Governor and are expected to include recommendations on possible criminal conduct meriting further investigation.
They will also point to any weaknesses in current legislation or administration which may benefit from an overhaul.
Sir Robin will eventually produce a final report giving reasons for or against any further investigations plus details of remedial legislation he considers appropriate.
The much-publicised probe into possible acts of corruption and dishonesty by past and present elected members of the legislature was announced in July and began eight weeks later.
The public will be kept updated on the Inquiry’s progress via regular statements on the website. Visit www.tci-inquiry.org for details.
Anyone wishing to contact the Commission is asked to email secretary@tci-inquiry.org or call 01144 207 173 2400.
By Gemma Handy
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