Turks and Caicos premier resigns amid scandal

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (AP) — The jet-setting premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands resigned Monday, a week earlier than expected, after an investigation that found “clear signs” of corruption in the eight-island British dependency.

Michael Misick, who had previously promised to resign March 31, said he was stepping down early to give his successor more time to set up a new government — even as Britain plans to dissolve the territory’s Cabinet and legislature after the wide-ranging U.K. corruption inquiry.

“I now announce that I will tender my resignation effective today as premier to allow the new PNP party leader to become premier,” Misick said during a brief televised address in the Atlantic islands between Haiti and the Bahamas.

With two private jets on call and a Hollywood actress wife, the 43-year-old Misick lived like the stars who inhabit the territory. He says his lifestyle allowed him to court high-end developers and helped put the British territory on the map. Since he took office, the gross domestic product in the territory of 22,000 people has more than doubled to $750 million — largely through a resort-building boom.

But Misick’s financial dealings also are the focus of a British investigative commission that is looking into allegations that members of his party misused public money and profited from the sale of government-owned land. The commission is expected to issue a final report later this year.

The London-educated lawyer and realty broker had previously said he would step down because his scandal-plagued government has lost the public’s support.

The order will be submitted to the queen for approval Wednesday before going to Parliament, which issued a report that first found complaints of rampant corruption.

Misick was elected in 2003 to lead the islands after eight years in the opposition. In 2007, he was sworn in for a second four-year term.

His successor as premier, Galmo Williams, won a three-way fight to lead the ruling Progressive National Party at a convention in early March.