An influential group of MPs supported the Government's proposal yesterday to seize control of a group of Caribbean islands, despite angry claims in the region of a return to colonialism.

The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee welcomed the plan for a British governor to take over the running of the Turks and Caicos Islands after an investigation into political corruption.

Evidence of a high probability of systemic corruption or other serious dishonesty involving present and past politicians on the islands, a British Overseas Territory, has been claimed by an interim report of the investigation.

A final decision on taking over the running of the islands will be taken after Sir Robin Auld, a former Lord Justice of Appeal, hands over his full report by the end of this month.

The Foreign Office said that parts of the islands' constitution may have to be suspended, including the territory's democratically elected legislature, initially for two years.

Mike Gapes, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said: “We welcome the Government's announcement that it will take powers to suspend cabinet government in the Turks and Caicos Islands and reimpose a form of direct rule, if this proves necessary in the light of Sir Robin Auld's final report.”

He said the committee would continue to monitor the situation on the islands, which have a population of 32,000.

But the plan to transfer control to the Governor, Gordon Wetherall. has been criticised by other Caribbean nations.

The 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom), of which the Turks and Caicos is an associate member, said the move would undermine democracy and give the islands' governor broad powers without checks and balances. It said the order would mean “a return to direct rule by the colonial power.”

The islands' newly appointed Premier has also condemned the proposals. Galmo Williams described the plan as “disturbing” and urged islanders to voice their objections to the order.

“I urge all citizens and residents to unite and join in the fight for justice and fairness,” he said.

Mr Williams said the order would erode the progress made over the past six years, and promised to correct weaknesses in the territory's government.

Ralph O'Neil, Premier of the British Virgin Islands, another Overseas Territory, said that the move by Britain was equivalent to living “under the threat that they could push you back into imperialism.”

Michael Misick, the previous Premier of the Turks and Caicos, announced his intention to step down just hours after reports last month that London might seize control of the island over concern at the allegations of corruptions.

He is alleged to have built up a multi-million dollar fortune since he was elected in 2003 with a serious of loans from banks based on the tax haven and from deals with property developers for land owned by the Crown.

Mr Misick, 43, who condemned the plan to strip the territory of its independence, is at the centre of allegations that he and his now estranged wife, the American actress LisaRaye McCoy Misick, lived a celebrity lifestyle far beyond his salary as premier.

“No matter what my personal failings may have been, they do not support the pretext ... to suspend our constitution and take us back to a time we had thought long past,” he said.

“This step by the British cannot be right, morally or otherwise,” he said. “We are vulnerable to the strong arms of modern day colonialism.”

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