Michael Misick, who is facing a criminal investigation, urged the 23,000 people on this island chain south of the Bahamas not to respect any laws or decisions made by the London-appointed governor.

"I also call on all TCIs to unite and fight against the occupation of the foreign invaders," Misick said in a statement released to the news media.

London put Gov. Gordon Wetherell in charge of the islands and suspended the legislature last week after a panel appointed to look into corruption allegations found "clear signs of political amorality and immaturity and general administrative incompetence."

Investigators also called for criminal probes targeting five officials including Misick, who resigned in March.

In his statement, Misick calls Wetherell a "dictator" and says the takeover amounts to a coup d'etat.

A spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said many people in the territory support Wetherell's appointment.

"There's a view that there are serious issues of governance," he said, speaking anonymously in line with government policy. He said direct rule is intended to provide "breathing space" to address those issues.

Wetherell's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.