Governor Martyn Roper, in a statement Tuesday, has added his voice to those urging Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush to demit office amid allegations of assault.
It comes after Premier Wayne Panton released a letter sent to Bush asking for his resignation, which he said the Speaker had agreed to do.
In response to Compass questions, Bush confirmed he had expressed “willingness for reasons given to both the premier and minister Jay Ebanks to resign as Speaker”.
He added, “We are currently discussing those details and I have no further comments at this time as Premier Panton remains off island.”
Roper, who had previously indicated that he would issue a statement on the situation at the end of the official period of mourning for the Queen, said he had also urged Bush to resign through “private correspondence”.
That correspondence has not been made public.
“Like so many others in the community I was shocked to see social media and press reports concerning the conduct of Speaker Bush at a regional gathering of tourism Ministers and officials. These matters are currently the subject of a Police investigation. I will therefore not comment further about these allegations,” he said.
Our elected representatives have a responsibility and duty to uphold the highest standards of conduct and behaviour expected of everyone in public life. – Governor Martyn Roper
He added that, in the circumstances, “it is right that Mr Bush resign from his role as Speaker of Parliament as he has confirmed to the Premier and to the press”.
“Inappropriate behaviour towards women should not be tolerated in any society. We all have a responsibility to call out this type of behaviour and support the victims. Our elected representatives have a responsibility and duty to uphold the highest standards of conduct and behaviour expected of everyone in public life,” Roper said.
The Compass has also written to the clerk of Parliament seeking confirmation as to whether an official letter of resignation has been received from Bush. We are awaiting a response.
Opposition calls on Bush to step down
Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, just prior to the Governor’s statement on Tuesday afternoon, also issued a call for Bush to resign.
“After respecting the 10-day period of official mourning for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I and my colleagues in the Opposition are also calling on McKeeva Bush to resign as Speaker of Parliament,” he said in the statement as he pointed to the premier’s letter asking for the same.
McTaggart referred to the police investigation into the alleged assault of two women while attending the Caribbean Tourism Organization cocktail reception.
He added that the “thoughts of myself and my colleagues are with the women who have suffered the alleged assaults”.
The RCIPS have not provided an update on the investigation except to say to the Compass that it is “still ongoing.”
McTaggart said, “We must be clear that the behaviour alleged is never acceptable and those in positions of power have a duty to uphold the highest standards. In the circumstances, there is no alternative for Mr Bush but to resign his position as Speaker.”
McTaggart said he and his colleagues also lamented that “16 months after he formed the PACT Government the Premier has been unable to implement a Code of Conduct for all Parliamentarians”.
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