Claims by Premier Ewart Brown that the UK crackdown on the Turks and Caicos Islands is over the top have been refuted by United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan.

The UK Government has threatened to temporarily suspend the Cabinet and legislature of the Caribbean country following a corruption probe that found "clear signs of political amorality and immaturity".

Dr. Brown branded the UK's stance as "unusually harsh and heavy-handed" while away at a meeting of regional leaders at the Fifth Summit of the Americas last weekend.

And he claimed other Caribbean leaders were concerned.

Under the UK government's proposals the territory's Governor would run the country until corruption had been rooted out.

The final UK report into corruption in the Turks and Caicos is due at the end of this month and Britain has threatened to haul dodgy politicians before the courts.

Yesterday UBP leader Kim Swan agreed that the intervention was unusual.

But he added: "One must see it in the context of the UK corruption inquiry there which found 'a high probability of systemic corruption or serious dishonesty'."

That was the basis on which the UK threatened to suspend the Turks and Caicos constitution with a view to instituting appropriate reforms, said Mr. Swan.

The UK intervention in the Turks and Caicos had been undertaken to ensure the protection of good governance in that territory and in particular its public purse and its citizenry who were being duped by their political leaders, claimed the UBP leader.

He added: "If that is the result, then the intervention will prove to be a good thing.

"I would urge the Premier to bring the same kind of focus to our affairs here at home, in particular the serious concerns related to the handling of major building projects such as the new court building in Hamilton, allegations of overbilling in the Tourism Department and protecting the integrity of the Auditor General's office."

Bermuda, if it is to succeed in the best way possible, must be firmly anchored to the principles of good governance transparency, responsiveness and accountability, said Mr. Swan.

"That's where our focus should be.

"That's where we will help to build a better society."

n See column by Quinton Edness, Page 4