LONDON, England (CMC):

Britain's Minister for the Overseas Territories, Chris Bryant, has given the leaders of five British Overseas Territories (BOT) reasons why London took the decision to intervene in the governance of the Turks and Caicos Islands and removed the elected government in that territory earlier this year.

Bryant outlined the position during a meeting with Montserrat Chief Minister Reuben Meade, Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming of Anguilla; Premier Dr Ewart Brown of Bermuda; and McKeeva Bush, Premier of the Cayman Islands during the Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC).

The British minister met separately with Ralph O'Neal, the Premier of the British Virgin Islands.

No micro-management

"We had a good discussion, during which I explained why the United Kingdom government had felt it necessary to take firm action in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We want the maximum amount of self-government possible and we have no desire to micro-manage the economy in any of the OTs," said Bryant.

"But I am also accountable to Parliament and it would be negligent of me if we did not take a keen, active interest in the economic and social well-being of the OTs. That's why we will step in when we have concerns about poor financial management and inadequate governance. I look forward to the next two days when we discuss these and other issues in more detail."

The discussion focussed on the extent and nature of the British government's contingent liabilities in the Caribbean Overseas Territories and their role in managing them.

Britain had said its action would last at least two years and follows the conclusion of a one-man Commission of Inquiry, which reported that it had found "clear signs" of corruption in the government.

At the centre of the corruption claims is former premier Michael Misick, who is alleged to have amassed a multimillion-dollar fortune since he was elected in 2003.