Following on from iNews Cayman’s report that a Scotland Yard review had concluded that former Cayman Islands Governor Stuart Jack, Cayman’s Attorney General Samuel Bulgin and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Security official for the Overseas Territories Larry Covington could face a criminal inquiry for allegedly lying to officers during the investigation, Martin Bridger has replied to the Press Statement from Bulgin. See our story “AG is furious at allegations made by Martin Bridger” at http://www.ieyenews.com/2013/05/ag-is-furious-at-allegations-made-by-martin-bridger/.

In his Press Release Bulgin furiously denied allegations made by Bridger, the discredited head of the Operation Tempura investigation, calling them “scurrilous”.

Now Bridger has claimed that witness statements from former Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Commissioner Stuart Kernohan and his deputy, John Jones, supported the evidence he presented to Scotland Yard.

Bridger said, “As with all criminal allegations, made either in the UK or the Cayman Islands, it is for the police to decide whether or not there is ‘reasonable grounds to suspect’ that a criminal offence may have been committed and whether or not an investigation should be commenced. The Metropolitan Police have decided that this threshold has been reached and that the allegations warrant investigation.

“Once the investigation is complete, the police will submit a file to the prosecuting authorities for them to make a decision as to whether to charge the people concerned or not. If the decision is made to charge, then it is for the courts to decide on guilt or innocence.

“I have read, with care, the statement made by the Attorney General, Samuel Bulgin, in response to this criminal allegation.  He would be familiar with the above procedures. What he has said is a matter for him. I do not intend to get involved in a debate with the AG or anyone else concerning these matters whilst they are still under consideration by the governor, Duncan Taylor. If an investigation is sought by the governor I will support that investigation in whatever way I can.”

Adding to this statement (see hereafter) Bridger claimed he has not instructed any legal counsel relating to this matter.

With Cayman’s Governor, Duncan Taylor, fighting an order by the information commissioner in our courts to release documents related to the Tempura enquiry, one can only speculate what he will do now. He has confirmed, however, he has received a letter about the allegations and the position of the Met (Scotland Yard) an investigation is required.

Bridger Statement

Statement from Martin Bridger in response to the recent public statement made by the Attorney General Samuel Bulgin concerning the allegation of crime made to the Metropolitan police.

I recently made an allegation of crime to the Metropolitan police concerning events which took place in the Cayman Islands when I was leading the investigation ‘Operation Tempura’.  Stuart Kernohan and John Jones have provided new witness statements to the Metropolitan police specifically in support of this allegation.

As with all criminal allegations, made either in the UK or the Cayman Islands, it is for the police to decide whether or not there is ‘reasonable grounds to suspect’ that a criminal offence may have been committed and whether or not an investigation should be commenced. The Metropolitan police have decided that this threshold has been reached and that the allegations warrant investigation.  Furthermore, they have decided that they are conflicted and that the investigation should not be undertaken by them.

The commencement of an investigation does not reveal, or point to, anyone’s guilt or innocence.  Once the investigation is complete the police will submit a file to the prosecuting authorities for them to make a decision as to whether to charge the people concerned or not. If the decision is made to charge then it is for the courts to decide on guilt or innocence.

I have read, with care, the statement made by the Attorney General, Samuel Bulgin, in response to this criminal allegation.  He would be familiar with the above procedures.  What he has said is a matter for him.  I do not intend to get involved in a debate with the AG or anyone else concerning these matters whilst they are still under consideration by the Governor Duncan Taylor.

If an investigation is sought by the Governor I will support that investigation in whatever way I can.

I have not instructed legal Counsel in this matter.

28th May 2013

END

An un-named source has informed us that the Governor’s office has received a formal complaint relating to Martin Bridger’s conduct during former Cayman Islands Auditor General Dan Duguay’s 2009 audit. The same source also says the formal complaint includes doubt about the accuracy of some of the contents of Bridger’s original written statement submitted to the Met on 4 March 2013.