Michael Misick said the UK was ushering in a new era of colonialism

Governor Gordon Wetherell said legal action against publication of the report and a plan to restore direct rule would not stop him.

One of the proposals is for the appointment of a special prosecutor whose main job will be to oversee a criminal probe of former TCI Premier Michael Misick.

The UK threatened in April to suspend self-government on the islands after claims of "systematic" corruption.

It has now been advised that action should be taken against Mr Misick - who denies any wrongdoing - and four ex-ministers.

British ministers said "urgent change" was needed in the islands' governance.

A report by retired judge Sir Robin Auld concluded that there had been "clear signs of political amorality" in the way the islands had been run.

'Systematic change'

Mr Misick is alleged to have built up a multi-million dollar fortune since coming to power in 2003, partially by selling crown land for personal gain. He has rejected all the allegations.

But in a statement to the UK Parliament, foreign office minister Chris Bryant said he was "determined to push forward" with Sir Robin's recommendations.

"His close examination of the information and evidence before the inquiry has reinforced, not weakened his conviction of a need for urgent and wide-ranging systematic change," Mr Bryant said.

"The Commissioner's report makes recommendations including the institution of criminal investigations in relation to former Premier Michael Misick and four of his former Cabinet ministers."

The UK's decision to suspend large parts of the Turks' constitution and hand power to the governor of the West Indies territory is now the subject of a legal challenge.

If approved, it would suspend the authority of the government and legislature - the House of Assembly - with powers being transferred to Governor Wetherell.

Mr Wetherell succeeded Richard Tauwhare last year.

Delayed publication

Mr Tauwahre instigated the corruption inquiry but was criticised by the UK's Foreign Affairs Select Committee for not acting sooner to tackle what it said last year was "a climate of fear" on the islands.

Mr Wetherell told islanders that he regretted that the legal action had so far delayed publication of the commission's findings.

He said: "However, I am determined to push forward now with the implementation of recommendations in the final report that do not depend on entry into force of the Order in Council (to restore direct rule).

	Governor Wetherell is poised to take full control of the islands

"We ... remain determined to do everything in our power, as swiftly as possible, to tackle systemic corruption and restore good governance in TCI."

Mr Misick, who resigned earlier this year, and his successor, Galmo Williams, have criticised the return of direct rule as a colonialist measure.

Mr Williams remains in office for the time being and recently called on the UK to outline its vision for the island during the two years it expects to suspend the TCI constitution.

The Turks and Caicos, which has a population of about 30,000, is a leading offshore financial centre.

Once a dependency of Jamaica, the islands become a crown colony when Jamaica became independent in 1962.

Residents of the islands have British citizenship.