INTO POSSIBLE CORRUPTION OR OTHER SERIOUS DISHONESTY IN RECENT YEARS OF PAST AND PRESENT ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE

COMMISSION PRESS STATEMENT

10th December 2008

The Commission, in its Press Statement of 25th November 2008, indicated that it had been obliged, by late provision of documents and increased numbers of those offering to assist the Inquiry, to delay the opening of its hearings in the Territory until early in the New Year.

The Commission’s hearings will open in the Conference Room of the Regent Palms Hotel, Providenciales on 13th January and continue into February. They will begin with oral examination of those Ministers and/or Members of the House of Assembly whose declarations and/or disclosures of interest the Commission considers remain materially deficient or otherwise questionable. They will, in advance of the hearings, be notified of aspects of disclosure on which the Commission seeks further information. The Commission will also, where appropriate, take oral evidence from Permanent Secretaries and other senior public officers, bearing on such matters.

The Commission will then take oral evidence from others over a range of issues within its terms of reference.

Finally, it will give an opportunity to give evidence to those whom it considers and notifies may be implicated or concerned in any subject-matter of the Inquiry.

By Monday, 15th December, the Commission will request indications by 19th December of availability in January and February from persons whom it may require to give evidence.

By Tuesday, 23rd December, the Commission will publish on this Web-Site a provisional programme, indicating the names of those to give evidence and when they will be required to give it, and a summary of its proposed procedures. It will, as necessary, publish further programmes and notify individually those affected by any changes to the provisional programme.

The Commission continues to invite anyone who believes that he or she has information that may assist the Inquiry or who seeks further information as to the hearings to contact the Secretary, Laurance O’Dea, at lodea@tci-inquiry.org, and/or the Assistant Secretary, Bahar Ala-eddini, at +44 (0)207 173 2400 or secretary@tci-inquiry.org.

The Commission also urges those who have material information relevant to its terms of reference and who have not yet indicated their willingness to give evidence, to do so by telephoning or e-mailing it at one of those contact points.

Alternatively, those who continue to fear intimidation or victimisation as a result of openly assisting the Inquiry may give information to the Commission in confidence if they so request. Neither the information nor its source, nor anything that may suggest its source, will be made public without their express consent.

Anyone who, at any time between now and the end of the hearings, requires further information should not hesitate to contact the Secretary to the Commission or Assistant Secretary at any of the above contact points.

Laurance O'Dea, Secretary to the Commission

10th December 2008