Former Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush’s United Democratic Party vowed to stand behind its leader this week after police charged him on 11 counts, including corruption-related and theft offences.
Mr. Bush and his party declared the charges – which include five counts of theft, four counts of breach of trust by a member of the Legislative Assembly under the Anti-Corruption Law and two counts of misconduct in public office – as part of an orchestrated effort to sabotage his re-election attempt in the May general election.
The West Bay legislator denies all charges and said he expected further charges to be laid against him as part of the “continuing effort” to influence the outcome of his re-election campaign.
”I have done nothing illegal, and will defend every one of these charges,” Mr. Bush said in a statement released by the UDP shortly after the charges were laid Wednesday afternoon.
“As I’ve stated since this campaign against me began over three years ago, I am innocent,” he said. “I will continue as the leader of the United Democratic Party, with its full support. These charges will not deter my faith and dedication to all the people of Cayman and to the United Democratic Party.”
Police have revealed previously that criminal investigations concerning Mr. Bush, 58, have been ongoing since 2010.
The former head of government and longest-serving current member of the Legislative Assembly has been bailed to appear in Summary Court on 12 April, six weeks before the general election on 22 May.
Mr. Bush will be defended by attorneys Michael Alberga of Travers Thorp Alberga, as well as Geoffrey Cox QC from the United Kingdom, who appeared in the Eurobank case, and KD Knight, a QC from Jamaica.
The UDP’s chairman, Tessa Bodden, said the party stands behind Mr. Bush and was “proud” to have him as its party leader.
“He has diligently looked after the people of the Cayman Islands, from all walks of life, for over 30 years and despite this campaign to embarrass Mr. Bush, his family, the United Democratic Party and its supporters, he fully intends to continue to do so,” Ms Bodden said. “Our country has faced adversities before and like before, the UDP will stand united with the people of the Cayman Islands to face these challenges.”
Mr. Bush was charged one week prior to nomination day during which candidates formally submit their nominations for election.
Asked for comment on the allegation made by Mr. Bush and the UDP that the police investigations and charges were part of a smear campaign, the Office of the Governor, under whose remit the police service falls, did not directly respond. Instead, the governor’s office issued the following statement to the Caymanian Compass: “We are aware that the former premier of the Cayman Islands, McKeeva Bush, has been charged by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. We expect that the legal process will now take its course in the normal way.”
Police Commissioner David Baines also declined to comment on the smear allegations made by Mr. Bush.
The former premier appeared on Radio Cayman on Thursday afternoon where he again professed his innocence and accused Britain-appointed Governor Duncan Taylor of attempting to smear him and his reputation.
The laying of charges on Mr. Bush, more than three months after he was arrested at his West Bay home on 11 December, brought a measured response from some other political figures in the Cayman Islands.
Leader of the Opposition Alden McLaughlin said on Wednesday: “The former premier, Mr. McKeeva Bush, has been the subject of an investigation for an extended period and today he was formally charged. I suspect the judicial process will run its due course and I have complete confidence in that process. I don’t think it would be fair to comment any more on the matter at this time.”
Ezzard Miller, an independent legislator for North Side, described the situation as “unfortunate”.
“It’s a black eye for the country,” Mr. Miller said. “Now we just have to wait for justice to run its course.”
Businessman Suresh Prasad, who was arrested on the same day as Mr. Bush as part of a police investigation into the importation of explosives, was re-bailed on Tuesday to report back to police in early April. No charges had been laid against Mr. Prasad as of press time Thursday.
Mr. Bush was first elected to office in 1984 and became the Cayman Islands’ first premier in 2009. He was ousted as head of government a few days after his arrest in December when the majority of lawmakers, including five members of his own nine-member government, backed a vote of no confidence in the United Democratic Party government. He remains an elected representative for West Bay.
The current interim government is made up of the five government members who backed the no-confidence motion. Mr. Bush was replaced as premier by his former deputy Juliana O’Connor-Connolly.
Constitutionally, Mr. Bush can still run for election, as only candidates who have received a prison sentence of 12 months or more or who have been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, are barred from office.
Mr. Bush was charged three days before his party’s General Assembly, scheduled for Saturday. Party chairman Ms Bodden said the assembly would go ahead as planned.
A charge of theft, under section 241 of the Penal Code carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A charge of breach of trust by a member of the Legislative Assembly under section 13 of the Anti-Corruption Law carries a maximum prison term of five years. Misconduct in public office is a common law offence, meaning precedents in similar cases determine decisions and sentencing.
Related Videos
