Prince William’s new mission

Is Prince William about to enjoy a second naval adventure, this one thanks to MPs "appalled" at the developing scandal in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI)? Over the weekend, the Foreign Affairs Committee called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Premier Mike Misick's alleged corruption and reign of "palpable" fear in Britain's last colonies. The Committee also called for the Royal Navy to send its Caribbean patrol to TCI waters. The Navy maintains a permanent patrol in the Caribbean where the old Empire began, and the frigate on duty is none other that HMS Iron Duke on which Sub Lt Wales is currently serving.

William got his first taste of naval derring-do earlier this month, intercepting drug smugglers off Barbados. If the TCI mission goes ahead, he will be intercepting Haitians. The islands have been flooded with Haitian illegal immigrants used as cheap labour in the tourist boom alleged to be filling the coffers of 'Iron Mike' Misick (pictured above with wife Lisa Raye). The islands have their own customs patrol but the Committee was unimpressed with its performance. "We conclude that given the scale of illegal immigration of Haitians the Foreign Office should accept greater responsibility... and provide a regular Royal Navy presence."

Committee chairman Mike Gapes, Labour MP for Ilford South, liked the idea of Royal intervention but had his doubts whether orders would be signalled in time. "Government has to decide whether to accept our recommendations and then get them through the Foreign Office and the Admiralty: will William still be aboard by the time the frigate gets there?" he asks.