West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush has resigned as House Speaker with immediate effect.
Bush, who gave his ‘swan song’ at the close of Monday’s Parliament session, told the Cayman Compass that he decided to resign as of Tuesday.
Asked what prompted his change of heart, the West Bay West MP simply stated, “Too many lies being told – and far too much speculation is being made”.
“I have my constituents – in particular my 2 grandchildren in college and my wife and son and [I am] most concerned with their health. God will be the judge on all of this,” Bush told the Compass via WhatsApp message Tuesday morning.
Bush, who had tendered his resignation last week to take effect on 30 November, added “sincere apologies is extended to the wider country for all the created confusion”.
Premier Wayne Panton, through a statement and an audio announcement on government broadcaster Radio Cayman’s 8am newscast, announced Bush’s decision.
“Upon conclusion of the recent meeting of Parliament, Mr. Bush confirmed by a letter to the Clerk his agreement to bring forward the effective date of his departure from his position as Speaker of Parliament today, October 12, 2022,” Panton said, adding that Deputy Speaker Katherine Ebanks-Wilks will immediately assume the role of acting speaker.
She will hold that post, he said, until the new speaker is selected by Members of Parliament as a first order of business at the next meeting of the House.
The new Parliament date is yet to be announced.
Bush’s resignation followed a statement from Commissioner of Police Derek Byrne confirming that the investigation was nearly done into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the Speaker which prompted the calls for him to step down .
Speaking in the House on Monday night, Bush did not address the allegations, but said it was a bittersweet departure, bitter for him due to the circumstances in which he opted to resign, “considering the interferences and undue influences being brought to bear publicly on the matter of the accusations against me”.
However, he said it was sweet because he leaves the House in the “capable” hands of Deputy Speaker Ebanks-Wilks.
Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart, speaking on Radio Cayman’s For the Record talk show Wednesday morning, said that Bush had resigned properly.
“It’s the right thing and you’re always mindful and sorry when things like this have to happen, but it’s part of the whole parliamentary process and procedure… there are standards to uphold,” he said, adding that he wished Bush well.
In a statement he issued later in the day, McTaggart said the resignation was “certainly in the best interest of the Country and the Parliament”.
He added that the Opposition “look forward to working with the new Speaker when Parliament next meets and Mr Bush’s successor is elected”.
He also said during the morning radio show that now that Bush had resigned, it was time to “move on” and it will be “business as usual” for the Opposition.
“We have been extremely strong and forceful in our insistence that this be the outcome and I’m glad we seem to have succeeded in bringing that to pass,” McTaggart added.
Last week the Opposition, after having their motion of no confidence in Bush rejected, protested the Speaker’s extended resignation date and boycotted the House session.
Deputy Opposition Leader Joey Hew added that there was no doubt in his mind that Bush has the country at heart.
“That is why I think that he made the decision, rather than the government, in the interest of the country and interest in upholding the honorable name of the Parliament that he’s decided to step down… I wish that he does find some solace in that and if there is a need for help that he does find that help as well,” Hew added.
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