Though UK diplomat Anwar Choudhury’s time as Cayman Islands Governor was short lived, he still recalls the affectionate embrace he and his family received during his brief tenure here.
Choudhary, the island’s 14th Governor, announced his retirement from the UK government service on Saturday morning in a brief note posted to his Facebook page.
In it, he recalled the Cayman Islands fondly.
“Few days ago some good friends from the Cayman Islands visited us. Feeling a little nostalgic, it reminded me that I had not properly said goodbye to the wonderful friends and people of Cayman. I wanted to thank you for the great support and affection you showed my family and I during my time. I saw the reaction from you and the Cayman media and was moved,” Choudhary wrote.
The former Governor was suddenly recalled to the UK less than three months into his term in 2018, following an unspecified formal complaint made against him to the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Prior his post on Saturday, Choudhary had not issued any public statements on his tenure here following his early departure.
Though it made no mention of his removal from the post, Choudhary said, “I saw the reaction from you and the Cayman media and was moved”.
“I often felt misty-eyed when I read your comments in the media. I was told many of you shared the emotion. I have now retired from government service and I sincerely hope that my family and I will be able to visit you at some stage,” he said.
The allegations in the complaint against Choudhary were never made public. There were claims he was accused of bullying.
At the end of the UK probe, the former governor was posted to another diplomatic position in London and did not return to the Cayman Islands. Governor Martyn Roper was later appointed as Choudhary’s replacement.
Choudhary proved to be one of Cayman’s well liked Governors during his short stint, as following his unexplained departure a petition was started on island to have him reinstated.
The petitioners lauded Choudhary’s down to earth approach with the community at large and his promise to cut down on red tape and reduce the government bureaucracy that plagued the civil service.
“There has been an increased public trust and belief that, finally, there was a governor who would listen and was not afraid to right the many wrongs in governance and administration, of complacency, ignoring complaints, lack of following practice and procedure, favoritism and overall malpractice to name a few,” the petition had stated.
Cayman clearly left an impression on the career diplomat.
“I wish you, the warm, generous and delightful people of Cayman, every success and happiness for the years ahead,” Choudhary wrote.
Choudhury’s record of service includes a military career and experience working on three continents.
The Cayman Islands was his first posting in the Caribbean.
The Bangladeshi-born British citizen has spent five years as the U.K. ambassador to Peru. Prior to that, Choudhury served as the U.K. foreign office director of “diplomatic excellence” from 2012 to 2013 and director of “international institutions” from 2008 to 2011.
He was also the British high commissioner in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 2004 to 2008, the first non-U.K. born, ethnic-minority individual ever appointed to that post, according to reports in the British press at the time.
Earlier in his career, he served as director of e-government for the U.K. Cabinet Office between 2000-2004.
He also has significant experience in the British military, having served in both the Royal Air Force and at the Ministry of Defence.
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