By Nikhil Kumar, The Independent

McKeeva Bush investigated over allegations he misused government credit card

The embattled premier of the Cayman Islands has sounded a note of defiance in the face of theft and corruption allegations, refusing to step down and blaming his travails on the secretive tax haven’s governor, who was  appointed by the Queen.

Financial crime investigators from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service in the British Overseas Territory detained McKeeva Bush at his home and brought him in for questioning twice this week before freeing him on bail, saying that they were probing allegations that the veteran leader had misused his government credit card and abused his office in relation to improper imports of explosives. The Cayman News Service reported that the explosives had been brought in by Midland Acres, a local firm, without the necessary permits. Without detailing the claims, the police also said they were looking into allegations of theft.

Investigators said they had seized “a considerable amount of property, including computer equipment” during searches related to Mr Bush’s arrest, according to Reuters.

But, despite growing calls from the opposition to step down, the head of the tax haven has refused to budge. Soon after a second round of questioning by investigators, he left for Jamaica to deliver a commencement address at a local university, promising to return the Islands last night. “I have done nothing wrong and I shall not be resigning as premier,” he said in a statement. “I also wish to assure one and all that the government continues to operate as normal.”

Mr Bush was meant to receive an honorary doctorate at the ceremony on Thursday, but authorities at the Jamaica’s University College of the Caribbean said the honour would have to wait until the probe is concluded.

He nonetheless gave a commencement address, suggesting to the assembled graduates that his woes were the handiwork of political enemies. “We are a British overseas territory and as such it is run by the governor and the commissioner of police. And so I can’t miss that it is nothing but a political, very vindictive political witch hunt,” he said, reportedly describing the Cayman Governor Duncan Taylor, the local representative of the British crown, as his “enemy.”

Mr Bush, who was elected as premier of the islands in 2009 and also serves as the secretive territory’s finance minister, insisted that he would be exonerated.

“I would just say that I have done nothing wrong,” he said. “I have made a lot of friends and I have made a lot of enemies. There are a lot of jealous people in a very small island.”

In his address to students, the 57 year-old, who is the longest serving member of the Cayman legislature, also spoke of the importance of playing by the rules and being truthful. “A reputation takes a lifetime to build and a moment to dismantle,” he said.

Rivals, meanwhile, are stepping up pressure on the embattled leader, with the head of the Cayman opposition Alden McLaughlin threatening to force Mr Bush out. “Arguments about ‘innocent until proven guilty’ are not relevant,” Mr McLaughlin said, according to the local Caymanian Compass newspaper. “We are not prejudging the guilt or innocence of Mr Bush. That is a matter for a court of law – should he eventually be charged and prosecuted.”

He said the reputation of the islands, which are renowned as the legal base for scores of hedge funds and businesses seeking low tax alternatives to their home countries, was at stake.

“In the interests of the Cayman Islands, I call on the members of the Cabinet… to take the necessary steps to remove Mr McKeeva Bush as premier,” he said, warning that otherwise, he would approach the speaker of the legislature to call a special meeting of lawmakers to discuss the case.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cayman-islands-premier-claims-explosives-and-fraud-charges-against-him-are-the-work-of-his-enemy-8418070.html