Opposition Leader Alden McLaughlin said Monday that neither he nor his party members had “called for” an investigation into Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush, despite statements to that effect that were made by the Premier on Saturday.
Mr. McLaughlin said he was aware the concerns that led to the commencement of the probe were brought to Governor Duncan Taylor by “the judiciary” in early 2010….just weeks after Mr. Taylor had arrived on Island.
“It was referred to the governor by the judiciary,” Mr. McLaughlin said. “The only report which we have made to anyone is the letters which I wrote to the governor [and other law enforcement officials] and the letter which Mr. [Ezzard] Miller wrote to the Anti-Corruption Commissioner [Police Commissioner David Baines].”
Both of those letters were dated 10 June, 2011 – about 15 months after the investigation of Premier Bush is said to have started.
On Monday afternoon, Governor Taylor released the following statement:
“I can confirm that in February 2010 an issue was brought to my attention which alleged financial irregularities. I referred the matter to the Commissioner of Police who subsequently decided to launch an investigation. I am advised that this investigation continues.
“It would be inappropriate for me to comment on any ongoing police investigation or to divulge any details of the investigation or the names of those people being investigated, and quite wrong to speculate on what might be the outcome.
“I am satisfied that the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service continues to take the matter seriously and to deal with it properly.”
Mr. Miller, the North Side MLA, in his submission to the Anti-Corruption Commission on 10 June attached a copy of a 2004 letter that he said was signed by then-Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush. Mr. Miller asked the commission to investigate the contents of that letter.
“This letter that Mr. Miller referred to…was actually unearthed in the process of civil court proceedings before the Grand Court early last year,” Mr. McLaughlin said.
Premier Bush made reference to the same document during a speech to his supporters on Saturday. He referred to the 2004 letter as a “real estate bill”.
Mr. Miller said the allegations reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission were “very serious” if they are found to have merit.
“The power of the governor to remove the Premier in the instance that the accusations are true are limited,” Mr. Miller said. “His party members, however, can do so. I call on the general council and members of the United Democratic Party to remove that risk by asking the Premier to temporarily step aside.
“If nothing comes out of it, then they can reinstate him,” Mr. Miller said.
Please check the Caymanian Compass on Wednesday for more on this story…
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They sure were lined up and ready this morning on the radio though, just about calling for resignations already! Don’t wait for facts! And lined up again tomorrow too apparently.
For people who aren’t calling for anything, seem rather quite well coordinated on the radio this morning at the _Crack of the Headlines_.
But of course, they’ll say there nothing opportunistic there…
It’s all about the *Seriousness_of_the_Charges* that we all should be *focused on* right Ezzard? *NOT* the *FACTS* and *outcome* of the investigation…
This type of gotcha politics is sickening and seems to be a continual thing here.
How about this… let the investigation go through and the facts revealed before you and your disciples of obstructionism start peddling your ambitions?
Miller said – The power of the governor to remove the Premier in the instance that the accusations are true are limited… His party members, however, can do so. I call on the general council and members of the United Democratic Party to remove that risk by asking the Premier to temporarily step aside…If nothing comes out of it, then they can reinstate him.
My dear Miller, you who pushed to have over 300 CCTV camaras installed to watch the citizens – whose side are you on??? Who is paying you and Alden?
Don’t think that we am so fool-fool to not see that your actions will not amount to grounds for a British takeover and suspencion of our little democracy here!
Now… you of all persons, I can not trust.
Alden likewise. You guys know the consequences of your actions. Where is the evidence against the Premier that you would write letters to the Governor???
God help us – Where are the leaders that are looking out for the people’s interest?!
A lesson learned for other British Territory Premiers.
During any newly appointed governor’s inauguration, DEONOT greet the Queen’s Representative with these words….YOU’RE ON MY TERRITORY NOW!
You will pay.And respect is due any governor.
Bushy, behave yourself and respect your elders.
@Dubai – With all due respect, THE HIGHEST RESPECT should only be to ONE… and that is GOD! We need to get from this colonial mentality of royalty and people higher and inferior than other people. The Premier, the Governor, et cetera… whoever that man is, is just a mere man.
But our HUMAN RIGHTS is of top priority over any dictatorship whether that be a British dictatorship or a local one.
I am sorry to say but this as well as mostly every action Miller and Alden have taken, just lead me to believe that they have a personal grudge against Bush. It seems like they are willing do anything to destroy the man’s reputation at any cost even if it means causing civil unrest in the islands and stopping development the could rebuild the Cayman economy when I listen to them take they just sound like men with a grudge and I have to question the motives of everything they say. It seems to me that they are more Angry with and have hatred for Bush then they have concern for the well being of the Cayman people. I mean they act like he’s been with both their wives..