PROVIDENCIALES (CMC):

Embattled Premier Michael Misick is refusing to bow to pressure from within the ranks of his ruling Progressive National Party (PNP) for him to step down, ahead of special meeting here yesterday of elected PNP members of parliament.

In an address to the nation on Tuesday, Misick acknowledged that he had made mistakes during the course of his six-year tenure but said a recent attempt to replace him as leader was 'unconstitutional'.

The address came on the heels of a no-confidence motion filed against his government.

Proud Turks and Caicos Islander

Although the motion was not debated at Monday's parliamentary sitting, Misick said he had been informed immediately prior to the commencement of the House, that a number of elected members from the PNP "were minded to support the motion, either by voting along with the Opposition or through their absence during the voting process".

"Let me categorically state that I am a proud Turks and Caicos islander and a proud PNP. We, in the Progressive National Party, have a constitution and a process in which to elect a leader and executive members. I was elected through that process and so was every other PNP leader.

"The attempt to replace me as leader, by some members, was unconstitutional and unfortunate, and showed no regard for the rules of our great party and the legacy that so many before us has built," he said.

With nine of the 13 elected PNP members of parliament also signalling, in a letter delivered to Governor Gordon Whetherall, that they no longer have confidence in his leadership, Misick suggested that the final decision on leadership was the party's to make.

Special meeting

"Make no mistake of my loyalty to country, people and party, and I will always do what is in the best interest of country, people and party.

"Today, all elected members agreed for the chairman to convene a special meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to address the process of challenging party leadership.

"Once this process is properly followed, as a staunch PNP member, I will always respect its outcome," he said.

Pressure has been mounting on the premier over his style of leadership. Government MPs believe Misick, who has been dogged by recent allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, is chiefly responsible for the growing unpopularity of the government, and for the erosion of local, regional and international confidence and respect for the Turks and Caicos Islands.