Bermudians should speak out in support of residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands where the UK has run roughshod over democracy, Government Senator Walton Brown said yesterday.

Sen. Brown says Britain has abused its power by imposing direct rule on TCI — suspending the House of Assembly and abolishing Cabinet — in response to allegations of government corruption and incompetence.

He describes the move as a huge overreaction which has taken away the democratic rights of TCI residents, and should act as a warning to all Overseas Territories.

"The UK action is clearly excessive. I believe there are systemic challenges in TCI, but the remedy the UK has imposed — to deny people the right to participate democratically in their own country — is the wrong strategy," the Senator told The Royal Gazette.

"To suspend people's rights is never a wise move. TCI is currently experiencing a fiscal crisis. There's been a serious number of allegations made, none of which are proven. There are other questions that still need to be asked.

"TCI is no longer a democracy. They have a one-man rule."

Sen. Brown said the TCI government had started to make changes by replacing controversial Premier Michael Misick with Galmo Williams, whom he said is not tainted with any allegations.

He said the UK should have given Mr. Williams support instead of throwing him out and putting Governor Gordon Wetherell in charge.

"It shows you the extent to which the UK government can act without democratic discussion in the Overseas Territories," he said.

"That's one of the very serious developments to come out of all this. All of this should be worrying to every single person living in one of the Overseas Territories.

"There are those who talk about the abuse of power in Bermuda. The UK have the power to do it."

Sen. Brown said people in Bermuda should protest against the move, adding: "All we can do is to try and become part of a chorus of dissent, say we object to it and have our voices heard.

"Talk to the press, send communications to the UK government in various forms."

An inquiry into the TCI government commissioned by the Foreign Office found "information in abundance pointing to a high probability of systematic corruption or serious dishonesty" and pointed to "clear signs of political amorality and immaturity and general administrative incompetence".

Some people have said they would like a similar inquiry in Bermuda, but Sen. Brown argued there is no need and that the Island has an international reputation for fiscal responsibility.

He said: "There are people in Bermuda who have real issues with the current Government and they will claw at anything they believe will give them an opportunity to get rid of the Government.

"The UK has not made a single trace in that respect ... there's no reason for the UK Government to have an inquiry in Bermuda."

Sen. Brown warned that if those people get what they wish for they could see democracy suspended in Bermuda, adding: "I still maintain there are some people prepared to destroy Bermuda just to get the PLP out."

The Foreign Office has said its measures were necessary to restore good governance and sound financial management. Bermuda's Deputy Governor Mark Capes will be Chief Executive in TCI from October.