Statement by Alva Suckoo MLA for Bodden Town Friday 11 April 2014 on Whistleblowing motion

“I am very concerned that the public has not been given the complete picture and reasons as to why events unfolded as they did in Parliament. As a member of the Oversight committee for the Complaints Commissioner I felt compelled to abstain from the vote due to several reasons:

1. I am a member of the Committee and have worked with the Commissioner  to promote protection for Whistleblowers and fully supported her efforts. As a member of the committee I felt it would be irresponsible to not support the work of the Information Commissioner, as the committee minutes will reflect that I have not voiced any concerns with the report and the recommendations.

2. I did not attend the latest meeting of the Committee where I understand there may have been a discussion with regard to a motion being moved to accept the report and its recommendations.

3. I am aware that the Government is now working at an advanced stage on Whistleblower legislation and I intend to contribute to and support this effort and to encourage the Government to complete this process in the shortest timeframe possible.

I am very concerned with the way Wednesdays events unfolded and I am very disappointed that what I consider Political posturing came into play. In explanation let me state the following facts:

1. The proposed motion was not discussed with me and I was completely taken by surprise when it was put forward in the manner it was despite me being a member of the committee.

2. It would have been much more productive for the committee to present the report to Caucus via the two Government members (myself and Mr. Roy McTaggart) who sit on the committee and ask for the support of the Government, rather than to attempt to bring the motion using Standing Order 74(5) with no warning or chance to consider its implications and expect the Government to accept the reports recommendations with no prior discussions. Ideally it would be the responsibility of the Commissioner herself to present the report to Caucus and ask for support. To date there has been no discussion between the Commissioner and Caucus.

I am becoming acutely aware that the Progressive Government is now under a systematic and deliberate attack and there are some in the political arena who have good intentions and who mean well but are surrounded by those who seek to regain political power through a campaign of divide and conquer, misinformation and manipulation and at any cost.

I am now aware that certain individuals, knowing my relationship with with my friends from East End and North Side, are attempting to use my relationship with these two gentlemen to take shots at the Government and to “pick me off”.

I will not be used in this way, and I wish to make it clear where I stand and what I stand for.

I remain loyal to this country and will work with anyone who wants what is best for the Cayman Islands, however I remain a Progressive and I will continue to work with the Progressive Government and support our manifesto and policies and I will continue to encourage the Government to maintain the course we set just over a year ago and to fulfil our promises. I also remain committed to my fellow MLA’s Anthony Eden, Osbourne Bodden and Wayne Panton, the Progressives in Bodden Town, and plan to continue to work side-by-side with them for our district.

Further I encourage the members from East End and North Side to reject the current campaign of destabilisation perpetrated by those selfish individuals who do not want to take the same approach that I have, and who are putting selfish political agendas before what is best for the country, and ask them to join me in my efforts to give the Eastern Districts the leadership we promised; leadership inspired by wisdom, duty, loyalty and love. I am therefore extending my hand to them and asking them to not join in this exercise to muddy the waters and make the Government appear ineffective as it is all Politically motivated and part of a much larger campaign designed to win back the Government.”