King Charles III has agreed to legislator McKeeva Bush’s request to renounce his Order of the British Empire – an honour awarded for accomplishments in arts and science or service to the community.
The former premier, party leader and parliamentary speaker wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, 11 Aug., that he had offered to surrender and return his award in January.
He said he received confirmation last week that King Charles III had approved his request.
Bush is awaiting two Grand Court trials in September and November after pleading not guilty to charges of indecent assault and rape relating to two separate incidents.
According to the Honours System of the United Kingdom, honours can be withdrawn following criminal conviction or bringing the system into disrepute.
“There is an expectation that those who receive an honour are, and will continue to be, good citizens and role models,” the UK government body says on its website.
However, in this case Bush says he made a request to forfeit the honour himself.
“An honour can only be forfeited by the decision of His Majesty,” the Honours System of the United Kingdom says.
“However, an individual may decide to renounce their honour voluntarily and take the practical steps required of those that have forfeited.”
It goes on to say that they will still hold the honour unless or until King Charles III annuls it.
Imperialism, class and privilege
Queen Elizabeth II awarded Bush an OBE during the 1997 New Year Honours. At the time he was minister of community development, sports, women’s and youth affairs, and culture.
“Since that time, we have seen much changes in our global community and an increased awakening of our national and cultural consciousness,” Bush wrote on his social media post.
He said he has been a “strong advocate” for the Cayman Islands to have its own honours system and national heroes to celebrate its collective history, heritage and value.
“I found myself conflicted about retaining an award that doesn’t promote Caymanian excellence but rather one that many people believe celebrated imperialism and perpetuated a system of class and privilege,” he said.
The MP for West Bay West said he wants to use his remaining years as a representative of the people focused on celebrating national heroes.
“The world is a different place than it was 26 years ago and many of the challenges we faced today are imported to our shores,” he added.
“There are a lot of politics being pushed and played in our Islands combined with jealously and hatrage [sic].
“I have never let politics get to a point where I seek to hurt anyone or their family: “Sadly, I recognise that there are people here in our islands, in the [Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office] and past governors who set out to hurt people anyway they can. I have been and still Is a target for them.”
A spokesperson from the Governor’s Office told the Compass: “Any decision to return an honour is a private matter and not something we can comment on and we would not share any FCDO correspondence on the matter if there were any.”
The Compass has contacted the Honours System of the United Kingdom for further clarification and is awaiting a response.
- Editor’s note: This story has been amended from the original for clarity.
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