London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Apr 03, 2026

Outcome of BVI’s COI is fixed with one UK judge

Outcome of BVI’s COI is fixed with one UK judge

Former Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI), Michael Misick has questioned whether the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI) in the BVI will be fair since only a single judge was appointed to investigate allegations of government corruption in the territory.

Speaking in an interview with 284 Media on Monday, Misick also raised concerns that the BVI’s Inquiry Commissioner, Sir Gary Hickinbottom, is a British national appointed by the UK.

Misick, who was at the centre of a similar inquiry in the TCI back in 2008, said this is evidence the UK has already fixed the outcome of the BVI’s COI, for the worse.

“Any inquiry that has one judge — one person — can’t be democratic, can’t be fair because you want to be able to have a descending voice,” argued Misick.

“So, as soon as you see the British government appointing a single judge — a single British person to carry out the Commission of Inquiry — in my view, they come with their instructions. They will pretend as if they are interested, they will pretend as if they’re listening. But in my view and my experience, the outcome is predetermined. And I have absolutely no doubt that the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry in the BVI is predetermined,” Misick further said.

Recalling the circumstances of the TCI’s 2008 inquiry, Misick added: “Knowing what I know now … the British government always had the agenda. Maybe we could have had our own inquiry into some of the so-called allegations that were made. Instead of having a British government appoint a Commission of Inquiry, we could have appointed a Commission of Inquiry; appointing senior judges from the region — from the Caribbean — and not one but maybe three.”

Misick embattled


Misick, in the meantime, is one of six ex-TCI ministers who was charged after the 2008 inquiry uncovered evidence of systematic corruption. This led to the UK imposing direct rule in the TCI for nearly four years thereafter.

The former Premier reportedly fled the TCI in 2009 but was arrested years later in Brazil and extradited back to his home country where he and his ex-ministers are still being tried in court. Misick, who has been labelled as the accused mastermind behind the alleged corruption, denies any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, the Turks & Caicos Weekly News reported last month that a former government minister under Misick’s administration, Lillian Boyce, entered a plea deal in which she admitted to ‘misconduct in public office’. She reportedly agreed to a financial settlement for the other charges that had resulted from the 2008 inquiry.
For her admission, she will not serve any prison time, the TCI publication reported.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
×