On July 13, amidst speculations that the British Government would be launching enquiries into the practices of all of its remaining territories, the Opposition of the Turks & Caicos Islands held a press conference to address certain critical issues. During the aforesaid press conference, Hon. Arthur Robinson, an elected official of the PDM Opposition had highlighted Michael E. Misick’s frequent, often extended, personal, international travels, accusing Mr. Misick (husband of Lisa Raye of The Players Club fame) of being an absentee leader, and dispelling reports from the Premier’s office that Mr. Misick had been in office throughout the week. While in his home in Los Angeles , California , Mr. Misick was notified of the press conference, and without delay flew home (which I guess explains why upon arrival he was still in his pajamas). Hon. Robinson was apparently tipped off of Mr. Misick’s departure and imminent arrival into the TCI.

A few hours later, Hon. Robinson and Mr. Shawn Malcolm (the National Chairman of the PDM party), were on the grounds of the TCI Attorney General’s Chambers obtaining evidentiary support. Hon. Robinson and Mr. Malcolm proceeded to film the arrival of the Premier on his private G3 Plane from Los Angeles in order to rebut the false reports. Another interesting thing captured on film was the fact that neither the Premier nor any of the members of his entourage cleared immigration or customs on entering the Country.

On noticing the filming after disembarking, the Premier’s vehicle made a detour to the Attorney General’s Chambers where he alongside his bodyguard, a police officer and Mr. Duane Martin of the UPN show “All of us,” vacated a black Land Rover luxury SUV. On discharging the vehicle, the Premier brutishly assaulted Hon. Robinson, incessantly pounding on his chest, while demeaning him with an onslaught of obscenities including repeatedly referring to Hon. Robinson by a vulgar feline term for the female genitalia. Subsequently, on the Premier’s command, his armed, 6’6” bodyguard seized the video camera from Mr. Malcolm. Following Mr. Malcolm’s queries, the bodyguard purported that he was confiscating the camera.

After the ordeal, Hon Robinson walked over to the Police Station (which is on the same premises as the Attorney General’s Chambers), in order to file a police report. Whilst Hon. Robinson was providing his statement, the Premier’s bodyguard phoned the Police Station, ordering police officers to desist from taking Hon. Robinson’s statement.

When residents got wind of the evening’s occurrences, many took to the streets and a peaceful demonstration at the Premier’s residence was organized. During the demonstration Mr. Gilmo Williams, a member of the Executive Council, vacated the Premier’s home, alongside several armed men to address the demonstrators. A fuming Mr. Williams continually hurled disparaging commands and profanities at the outraged but composed crowd. Moreover, the TCI police force was called in by the Premier to muzzle the protest. All the while Martin and the Premier were nestled away in the Premier’s mansion.

On Saturday, 15th July Mr. Misick accompanied Mr. Martin to Puerto Rico where the couple spent the night. On Sunday Misick arranged a private flight to take Mr. Martin to Los Angeles, then returned home, conspicuously late for his church service, all the while affirming that he had never left the country.

Martin’s statement and testimony when the matter comes to trial should be interesting.