Vexed Bermoothes

Why is Dr. Brown getting so sweaty about the UK’s intervention in the Turks & Caicos over the allegations of widespread corruption and official misconduct there?

Here’s a clue.

In a speech to the UK Parliament on April 23, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Gillian Merron said the British Government has instructed Governors in the overseas territories to review the TCI commission interim report and to ensure a thorough assessment of any systematic controls that need improvement in their territory.

“From my discussions with representatives of the territories, I am in no doubt about how exercised they themselves are about the report on Turks and Caicos Islands [shout out to Dr. B!]  Because they wish to keep their reputation, I hope that we can use the report to great benefit across the overseas territories.”

“We have also revised the requirements on those being appointed to governorship to ensure that they have the right capabilities for the job and that they are clear about their responsibilities for good governance. We have also made it clear—I hope that this will be welcome—that Governors who raise concerns about good governance will have support from the FCO.”

Merron said it is right that territory Governments should take the majority of decisions in the territories because that is the nature of the modern relationship. She added however, that it is also true that the British Government expects and demands the highest standards of governance in return.

The man doth protest too much, I think.