LisaRaye's Ex-Husband Resigns as Turks and Caicos Premier

Embattled Premier Michael Misick, citing a lack of support from his own Government, on Friday announced that he will step down.

Misick, 43, told a press conference at his office here that he would resign as leader of this British Overseas Territory effective March 31. He also said that he would quit as leader of the ruling Progressive National Party (PNP) on February 28.

"What the country and our party need now more than ever is stability and certainty," Misick said.

"I have tried in recent weeks to create this. It now appears to me that the divide within the party is too deep," he added.

Misick and his Government have been embroiled in controversy in recent months. Complaints by residents of alleged corruption within Government circles led to the premier facing a British commission of inquiry over his financial dealings.

His announcement came mere hours after the deputy premier and finance minister, Floyd Hall, resigned from the Government because of what he said were differences with Misick.

Hall said the premier's decision to halt a legislative session in December when lawmakers sought a no-confidence vote left the Government in limbo.

The commission of inquiry that wrapped up its hearings earlier in the week had been scrutinising Misick's financial dealings as it probed allegations of widespread corruption in Government, including charges that Misick and other officials made personal gain from the sale of Government lands.

Misick, who has led the Turks and Caicos Islands since 2003, has boasted of bringing unprecedented development to the territory on the back of a tourism building boom, which has more than doubled the Gross Domestic Product to US$750 million during his tenure.
Last year, the premier became the focus of criminal investigations after an American woman claimed that he sexually assaulted her.
Misick strenuously denied those allegations, issuing a statement proclaiming his innocence.

"I strongly and categorically deny these false allegations. I am confident that I will be completely and fully exonerated of these false and outrageous allegations," he said last April.

The breakdown of his marriage to actress LisaRaye McCoy has also made headlines over the past year.




Source: Jamaica Observer