Please sir, it wasn’t me.

The shocking news that has hit us regarding the Cayman Islands Premier, Hon. McKeeva Bush, illustrates my point in my weekend editorial about persons in glass houses should not throw stones. Little did I know then that an explosion has happened the size of one that could emanate from the dynamite that is the subject of one of the probes. Whilst that dynamite has not been lit, the one under the premier really did explode.

I have oft called our premier wily but both his ill-fated Radio Cayman broadcast and now his press statement on Sunday (22) has me questioning that.

Mr. Bush alludes to the investigations he is currently under (but which he has no idea what they are about) “are reminiscent of – and consistent with – the Operation Tempura fiasco”.  Why would he mention that when it is recorded that he had himself played a part in triggering the investigation when he approached the former commissioner, Stuart Kernohan, about the information he had regarding Desmond Seales and Anthony Ennis. This was revealed during former UDP MLA Lyndon Martin’s trial. Perhaps Mr. Bush has a memory lapse on that issue because I can think of no reason to bring it up unless he thought we had forgotten that aspect of it and wanted to “muddy the waters” that he has often done with success.

If he had just said, “I have done nothing illegal,” I wouldn’t be writing this now, but no, he has to “have a go” and add, “much to the disappointment of the opposition and those that see themselves as the premier, or as new government Ministers.”

The timing of these allegations are more likely to have emanated from this Radio Broadcast where he stated he knew of no investigation against him. If that is true, what is he doing as Premier of the Cayman Islands? Everyone else did! Didn’t his colleagues tell him?

However, Mr. Bush says he and his supporters are of the opinion that the announcement of these investigations and their timing were designed to coincide with the visit of the UK Minister and to cause maximum embarrassment to the Premier and the people of the Cayman Islands. To also suggest “certain Civil Servants in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office” to be responsible for this is almost ludicrous. Why would they? It was the RCIPS Commissioner who announced the investigations (“the inappropriate statements”) and not some Civil Servant who has a grudge against the premier. Look into your own back yard first.

I am afraid the days are now over for “Please sir, it wasn’t me.” I am afraid it is getting very close to whether our Islands can afford all this terrible publicity which unfortunately has been fuelled by Mr. Bush. I am afraid he has got himself caught in the back-draft.

Why, why, why, did you make that Radio broadcast?