Party loyalties run deep in TCI and opinions about corruption on each side of the political divide are highly polarized. We continue to encourage anyone in the Turks and Caicos Islands who has evidence of corruption to bring it forward.”

“All allegations are looked into thoroughly, as appropriate, by the Governor's Office, by the Audit Department (whose reports are subsequently taken up by the Public Accounts Committee, which is chaired by the Leader of the Opposition) or by the police Financial Crime Unit, which is headed by a retired UK police officer. A number of allegations are currently the subject of on-going enquiries. But so far there has been insufficient evidence to justify either a prosecution or a Commission of Enquiry,” the statement said.

The statement noted that for the long term, measures would be put in place to detect and deter corruption, as well as create less space for abuse of public funds.

“For the longer term, two important steps are about to be taken, which should significantly improve both the capacity to deter and detect corruption as well as significantly reduce the scope for abuse. By the end of April, the House of Assembly is likely to adopt a Bill which will establish an independent, standing Integrity Commission, with extensive powers to investigate allegations of corruption. The implementation of this legislation should enable the UN Convention on Corruption and the OECD Bribery Convention to be extended to TCI,” the statement further noted.

The statement said legislations were being chiseled to advance a number of measures as it relates to prevention of corruption, including Crown Land , which it said was a major source of contention in the TCI.

“Work is well advanced on legislation and other measures to radically improve the management of Crown Land , which has been identified as an essential element for assuring the sustainable economic and social development of TCI.

“This will include the creation of a dedicated Unit within government and a Bill which should ensure transparent, accountable and fair procedures for managing all Crown Land issues which should address the primary problem of weak implementation of the agreed policy. Questions over the granting of Crown Land lie at the root of many of the current allegations, as indeed has been the case under previous administrations.”

Earlier this year three members of the British Parliamentary visited the TCI to conduct their own investigations into allegations of corruption within Government. The visit was as a result of complaints of corruption in the TCI. Afterwards an Oral Enquiry was held with Meg Munn, Minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories . During that session, Munn was grilled on matters taking place in the TCI, but there were answers she could not give, hence a second session was held.