In a News Release from the Office of the Press Secretary to the Premier headed “Response to the Leader of the Opposition: Ritz Carlton Statement Author” Cayman Islands Premier, Hon. McKeeva Bush, admits he asked previous Ritz-Carlton owner Michael Ryan to provide him with information as was suggested by Opposition Leader, Alden McLaughlin.

See our story “McLaughlin accuses Premier’s statement re Ritz duty was penned by Ryan” published on November 28 2012 at:  http://www.ieyenews.com/2012/11/mclaughlin-accuses-premiers-statement-re-ritz-duty-was-penned-by-ryan/

The News release says:

“Premier McKeeva Bush asked Michael Ryan to provide him with information regarding the Ritz Carlton valuations for the statement which was made about the new owners of the Ritz Carlton and the $6 million in outstanding deferred duty. This information was sent by Mr. Ryan in a Word document via email. The statement was then crafted using this same Word document with the Premier dictating the statement to his Senior Political Assistant.

“Premier Bush again reiterated that he supports the Ritz Carlton property and that the Government is prepared to be partners in tourism with the new owners but that Government will pursue the collection of revenue owed to the Government. The Premier said, “If Mr. McLaughlin truly cared about the welfare of the country he would have contacted me directly, rather than playing politics as he always does to the detriment of the populace and publicly accusing me of not doing my duty. I did my duty, as explained in my statement. This matter is being dealt with by Government’s valuation office and not the Office of the Premier.”

See attached original release