By KRYSTEL ROLLE, Guardian Staff Reporter, krystel@nasguard.com

Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Michael Missick on Thursday "strongly and categorically denied" allegations that he sexually assaulted an American female visitor to the British colony last weekend.

And amid cries from top-level persons within his own Progressive National Party (PNP) that he step down as party leader and premier, Missick maintained his innocence and publicly stated that he has no intention of leaving office.

"Let me be clear, I will continue my duties as premier. We have a lot yet to accomplish," said Missick in an official statement.

During the time regularly scheduled for their budgetary sessions, the top-level of the PNP was locked in meetings Thursday morning, reportedly, regarding the alleged incident at the premier's residence, according to reports coming out of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The woman was on a trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, south of The Bahamas, last week when she was allegedly assaulted.

Missick is currently under investigation by the local police, but law enforcement officers have been sent from the U.S. as observers, as the accuser is an American citizen. This was confirmed by the TCI Weekly News, in a report that said the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force investigations "are being overseen" by law enforcement officers from the United States.

Missick said he is confident that once investigations conclude, his name would be cleared of any wrongdoing.

In a statement on Thursday the premier said the accusations levied against him were "false" and "outrageous."

"A few days ago, an American female, after leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands, made a false report to law enforcement officials in the United States that she had allegedly been sexually assaulted by me. I strongly and categorically deny these false allegations," he said in the statement.

Missick said that because an American citizen is involved, as "a procedural matter," law enforcement officials from the United States are observing the investigation.

"I am confident that I will be completely and fully exonerated of these false and outrageous allegations. Due to the ongoing investigation, I will not be commenting any further on this matter. Let me be clear: I will continue my duties as premier. We have a lot yet to accomplish," said Missick.

"May God bless you and may God continue to bless the Turks and Caicos Islands," he added.

The alleged incident was said to have taken place last weekend, but the news did not circulate until this week.

A resident of Turks and Caicos Islands told The Guardian yesterday that the public had yet to weigh-in on the issue. So far, he said there has been no public opinions expressed.

"There hasn't been any political meetings or any large scale outward reaction to it. There's a calm. I don't know if it's calm before the storm," said the man who spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not wish to be victimized.

Missick is married to American Actress Lisa Raye.

The Guardian made several unsuccessful attempts to reach the premier's office yesterday.