UPDATE: Cayman Premier- “I Have Done Nothing Wrong and I Shall Not Be Resigning”
Cayman Premier McKeeva Bush has issued his first public statement since his arrest Tuesday on suspicions of corruption, maintaining his innocence and vowing not to yield to increasing public pressure to step down.
“I have done nothing wrong and I shall not be resigning as Premier,” he said. “I also wish to assure one and all that the government continues to operate as normal.”
He said that, on the advice of his attorney, he as unable to comment any further, but that he would make further statements “in due course.”
Bush had been scheduled to travel to Jamaica Wednesday to receive an honourary doctorate at the University College of the Caribbean,and pledged to make the trip.
“I feel obligated to honour this commitment and have decided to attend,” he said. “I will be returning to the island this Friday.”
Bush, who is released on bail until February 2013, thanked his “many supporters, friends and family, especially those in the district of West Bay for their prayers, visits and words of encouragement.”
See previous story posted on December 12, 2012
Cayman Governor: Premier’s Arrest a Matter for the Police Commissioner
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Cayman Islands Governor Duncan Taylor has issued a statement that he was “aware” of the arrest of Premier McKeeva Bush Tuesday morning and that the conduct of the investigations was a “matter for the Police Commissioner.”
Bush was detained by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Force early Tuesday morning for a series of charges including abuse of office. Taylor said the reasons for the arrest “have been set out in the statement issued by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.”
“The conduct of criminal investigations in the Cayman Islands is a matter for the Police Commissioner,” Taylor said. “If evidence is brought to his attention which leads him to suspect that an offence or offences may have been committed, I expect him to carry out a robust, fair and comprehensive investigation, regardless of the individual concerned. I am confident that the Police Commissioner will ensure that this applies to the ongoing investigations involving the Premier.”
The Governor said he wanted to reassure the people of the Cayman Islands “of my commitment and that of the whole of the Cayman Islands Government to ensure the continued effective functioning of the government and the continued efficient delivery of services to the public.”
According to the police, more information will soon be forthcoming.
Cayman Premier McKeeva Bush arrested!
By Reuters
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands - Cayman Islands' Premier McKeeva Bush was detained by police on Tuesday in connection with a series of police investigations in the normally tranquil offshore financial center, authorities said.
A statement from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said Bush, 57, had been arrested by members of its Financial Crime Unit at his home on suspicion of theft and the alleged misuse of a government credit card.
Other charges include abuse of office and breach of trust, stemming from the alleged importation of explosive substances without valid permits, the statement said.
A police spokesperson declined to elaborate on the charges.
The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory with an elected parliament and premier but a British-appointed governor who oversees external affairs and security, including the police force.
The governor could not be reached for immediate comment on Bush's detention and a spokesman for the premier was also unavailable for comment.
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13 Responses to “UPDATE: Cayman Premier- “I Have Done Nothing Wrong and I Shall Not Be Resigning””
Anguilla's chief minister should be the next British overseas territory leader to be arrested for his alleged curruption and mismanagement of government, and i wish and hope that London would soon act to arrest him and remove him from office! He want independence to cover-up his alleged bad deeds and whereby there would not be any checks and balance of accountability as far as he is concern. The former Turks leader has said the same thing including the Cayman Islands local leader. Those local leaders believe they are above the law and do not have to answer to anyone is why they are bent on the independence issue as reasons to seek their own interest. There are some foolish people in all the overseas territories who support the idea of independence as well, not withstanding that no nation is independent of itself, because the world powers of the U.K., USA, France, China and Russia decide the faith of all nations on earth. The world powers also have veto powers in the United Nations as well. Wasn't Haiti, Guyana, Grenada, Trinidad, Libya, Egypt and others independent? Well you know what the world powers decided regarding the leaders of those nations dont you? The local leaders use a racial argument to gain support for their quest of independence by saying they want freedom from colonioal rule,which does not exist today, and they prey upon the weakhearted people to believe and support they agenda for independence. If big brother is watching them,yet still they are so corrupt one can only imagine what would happen when they go independent and does not have checks and balance? They cannot lead or govern, yet they want to run an independent nation so go figure it out. God bless the U.K., and any senseable citizen of any British overseas territory in his/her right mind would reject the call for independence. Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Guyana and other countries are independent and are they any better off today? Dont those nations still beg for money and rely on assistance from America, Canada, U.K., IMF and Caribbean Development Bank? If your answer is yes, then what was the purpose of going independence? Rastas believe in a dead man from Africa as they god and preach hatred of colonialism, yet still they depend on the European masters for survival dont they? People wake-up and live and think with your brain and know that the local leaders are corrupt and must be held accountable for their actions.