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Former Turks and Caicos premier loses appeal in London
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| Published on Thursday, August 13, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
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LONDON, England -- Former Turks and Caicos Islands premier Michael Misick has lost his appeal against the earlier rejection by the High Court in London of his bid to challenge a decision by the British government to suspend the territory's constitution.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced plans to restore direct rule after a Commission of Inquiry headed by Sir Robin Auld found evidence of widespread corruption in the government.
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Former Premier
Michael Misick |
Misick stepped down shortly after the report was made public.
However, Misick filed proceedings in the High Court in London arguing that the proposed suspension of the constitution contravened European Union law.
Arguments submitted by Misick's English lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald QC, further contended that Misick, having been duly elected by the voters of the Turks and Caicos Islands, should not be removed by the executive using the powers under the West Indies Act.
However, the two judges who heard the application in May found that there was no realistic prospect of Misick's case succeeding.
They also pointed to the gravity of the allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement levelled against Misick and other elected members of parliament.
Further details of the appeal court's ruling will be published as soon as they are available.
In a statement on Wednesday, TCI Governor Gordon Wetherell welcomed the decision in the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal in the legal challenge brought by Misick.
"It remains the intention of the UK Government to bring the Order into force as soon as possible, taking into account the current situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands," he said. "I am consulting the UK Government and will make a fuller statement shortly.” | | | | Reads : 2388 | | | |
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