May 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

I follow with interest the UK news media headlines that greet us everyday over the Parliamentary corruption scandals that are a main news headline here.

In fact this morning's paper has multiple headlines on the topic such as "Parliamentary Chambers of Horror", "Suspensions and Sleaze", "Minister runs up Highest Expenses", etc.

Yet, it is puzzling (not really) that this is the same Parliamentarians and governmental leaders in the British Government that suspended the Turks and Caicos' local government in March 2009. As is somewhat old news now, on March 18, 2009, an order was made giving the British appointed Governor the power to suspend those parts of the Turks and Caicos' 2006 Constitution which deal with ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and to exercise the powers of government himself on behalf of the UK government. The Premier at the time, Michael Misick, resigned as a result.

Lessons to be learned? Well, for one, its clear that the best people to advise against theft are thieves themselves. Two, if the Premier of Turks and Caicos had to resign than what should be the fate and really, the honourable action of those British MPs? I will leave you to decide. Can anyone else smell the stench of "double standard" and "do as I say, not as I do".

DAVID E. CHAPMAN

London, UK