Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the representative of the British monarch in the United Kingdom's overseas territory of Turks and Caicos Islands. The Governor is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the British government. The role of the Governor is to act as the de facto head of state, and he or she is responsible for appointing the Premier and 5 members of the House of Assembly.

The current Governor is Ric Todd.^[3]

In August 2009, the United Kingdom suspended the Turks and Caicos' self-government after allegations of ministerial corruption. The prerogative of the ministerial government and the House of Assembly are vested in the islands' governor for a period of up to two years.^[4]

The Governor has his own flag in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Union Flag with the territory's coat of arms superimposed.^[5]

History

The islands were a dependency of Jamaica until that colony received independence in 1962. Afterwards the governor of the Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973.

A list of office holders since 1973:

• Alexander Graham Mitchell (1973–1975)
• Arthur Christopher Watson (1975–1978)
• John Clifford Strong (1978–1982)
• Christopher J. Turner (1982–1987)
• Michael J. Bradley (1987–1993)
• Martin Bourke (1993–1996)
• John Kelly (1996–2000)
• Mervyn Jones (2000–2002)
• Cynthia Astwood (2002; acting)
• Jim Poston (2002–2005)
• Mahala Wynns (2005; acting)
• Richard Tauwhare (2005–2008)
• Mahala Wynns (2008 – 5 August 2008; acting)
• Gordon Wetherell (5 August 2008 – 22 August 2011)
• Martin Stanley (22 August – 12 September 2011; acting)
• Ric Todd (12 September 2011 – present)

References

• Turks and Caicos Islands

External links

• Office of the Governor