A powerful committee of British MPs has backed the clampdown on Turks and Caicos following a corruption probe.

The Foreign Affairs Committee had unearthed claims of intimidation, corruption and a 'climate of fear' during its own inquiry into the Overseas Territories which finished last year.

A further inquiry by a top UK judge Sir Robin Auld led to the suspension of the Government of the Turks and Caicos (TCI) earlier in March.

Yesterday FAC chairman Mike Gapes MP said: "We welcome the Government's announcement that it will take powers to suspend cabinet government in the Turks and Caicos Islands and reimpose a form of direct rule, if this proves necessary in the light of Sir Robin Auld's final report."

Sir Robin had wrote about "a high probability of […] systematic venality' involving 'systemic corruption or other serious dishonesty involving past and present elected Members of the Legislature in recent years."

Mr. Gapes said: "We also note Sir Robin's view that there are 'clear signs of political amorality and immorality and of general administrative incompetence', and that this evidence demonstrates 'a need for urgent suspension in whole or in part of the Constitution and for other legislative and administrative reforms'.

"Many individuals from TCI wrote to us alleging corruption.

"They expressed concern about freedom of speech, and many submitted evidence to us in confidence because they feared intimidation."

In March 2008 a subgroup of the FAC visited TCI and investigated the situation on the ground, said Mr. Gapes.

"They reported back that they had encountered a 'climate of fear' on the islands. The Committee awaits Sir Robin Auld's final report. "We will continue to monitor closely the situation on the Turks and Caicos Islands as events unfold."