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

COMMISSION PRESS STATEMENT

12th February 2009

On Wednesday, 11th February 2009, after over four weeks of hearings, the Commission concluded its oral proceedings in Providenciales, and has now returned to London. The Commissioner, in his statement closing the proceedings, set out the following programme for the remainder of the Commission’s work.

Legal representatives of those who have been examined as to their interests or who have otherwise given oral evidence to the Commission would have ten days, namely until Saturday, 21 February 2009, to make further submissions - but only in writing - in respect of matters concerning their clients that have arisen priorto and in the hearings. Other persons may also make submissions or proffer evidence in writing within those 10 days.

Within the following 7 days, that is, by Saturday, 28 February 2009, the Commissioner will submit an Interim Report to the Governor, summarising Recommendations of which he is confident after having considered all material representations received by the 21st February 2009 closing date. Those recommendations will be, in the main, under the Commission’s second term of reference, namely as to indications of systemic weakness in legislation, regulation or administration in the Territory meriting reform. They may also include recommendations under the Commission’s first term of reference as to possible corruption or other serious dishonesty. Those, in the main, will be of a generic nature and only with reference to any individual where, exceptionally, the Commissioner is satisfied that it would not be unfair to him or her at that stage.

It will be for the Governor to decide whether and when to publish the Interim Report, and what, if any, action should flow from it.

In the meantime the Commissioner will consider and prepare his Final Report for submission to the Governor by 30th April 2009 or, if possible, significantly before then. That Report will elaborate, where necessary, on the Summary Recommendations contained in the Interim Report. It will also contain further findings and recommendations, after taking account of responses of individuals to “minded to find and/or recommend” letters from the Commission to them.

The Commissioner cannot guarantee that he will take into account in the Interim or Final Report any submissions or evidence received after the 21st February 2009 closing date.

All points of contact with the Commission will be as they were before the commencement of the hearings in Providenciales, namely at secretary@tci-inquiry.org, or by post, fax or telephone to

First Floor,
26 Southampton Buildings,
Holborn, London,
WC2A 1PN,
tel (0044) (0) 207 173 2400,
fax (0044) (0) 207 173 2371.

The Commission will continue to issue regular press-statements on its web-site and by other means, as before.

Laurance O'Dea, Secretary to the Commission

12th February 2009