Government releases cost of Chatham House trip

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Government spent $17,437.70 on travel to London for a Chatham House Conference on Global Corruption and an appearance by Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin on BBC’s HardTalk last month.

While there the Premier also met with officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other key leaders in the UK Government.

The Premier was joined by Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose and the Premier’s Senior Political Advisor Roy Tatum on the 31 January – 6 February, 2014, trip.

Airfare for the three totalled $8,048.59; per diem allowances totalled $3,300; and hotel expenses were $6,089.11.

This Chatham House conference examined the prospects for concerted action to tackle global corruption and considered the role of governments and businesses in achieving lasting impact. Participants and speakers critically assessed current and emerging international efforts and considered their consequences for future business practice and governance.

Chatham House is a world-leading source of independent analysis, informed debate and influential ideas on how to build a prosperous and secure world for all. The institute engages governments, the private sector, civil society and its members in open debates and confidential discussions about significant developments in international affairs; produces independent and rigorous analysis of critical global, regional and country-specific challenges and opportunities; and offers new ideas to decision-makers and -shapers on how these could best be tackled from the near- to the long-term.

On HardTalk, the Hon. Premier shared Cayman’s positive story of being a successful Overseas Territory by answering hard hitting questions from presenter Stephen Sackur.