Britain To Take Over Government Of Turks And Caicos To Replace 'Corrupt' Officials

July 2, 2009 9:29 p.m. EST

London, U.K. (AHN) - Britain plans to take over the government of its autonomous overseas territory of Turks & Caicos in October to replace the allegedly corrupt leaders and politicians of the Caribbean islands.

The takeover approved by Queen Elizabeth was supposed to take place last month but was postponed to allow former Turks & Caicos Prime Minister Michael Misick and four ex-members of his cabinet to contest corruption allegations against them in court.

Under the plan, Turks & Caicos Governor Gordon Wetherell and a group of appointed experts who will replace local lawmakers will run the territory.

The governor will also suspend partially the islands' constitution and prosecute corrupt officials during a two-year period.

The move was the recommendation of a still unpublished corruption report by Sir Robin Auld, a former Lord Justice of Appeal.

The report also accused the islands' government of "political amorality and immaturity and of general administrative incompetence," according to Times Online.

Aside from being accused of illegally amassing fortune, Misick has been accused by his estranged wife, American actress LisaRaye McCoy, of a lavish lifestyle, including owning private jets.