Prime Minister Nel Oduber of Aruba is angry at a Dutch proposal that the calibre of governance on the Caribbean island should be subject to an inquiry.

Formerly a Dutch colony, Aruba is an autonomous region of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Mr Oduber says: "The Netherlands distrusts us and that affects relations in a negative way".

Kingdom Relations Minister Ank Bijleveld argues there are worrying signs of corruption and misgovernment on Aruba. The police and justice authorities are singled out as potential problems and the Aruban parliament is also cause for concern. It is said that members' questions are often left unanswered and that there is sometimes no debate on political issues.

Mr Oduber says the allegations are the result of unsubstantiated rumours. The criticism comes at a sensitive time as Aruba goes to the polls in September. The prime minister is worried that the opposition will be able to make political capital out of an inquiry.