From Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, Leader of Opposition, Leader of People’s Progressive Movement

On Tuesday morning the Premier, Mr. McKeeva Bush, was arrested by the Royal Cayman Islands Police on suspicion of:

1)     Theft in connection with financial irregularities relating to the misuse of a government credit card;

2)      Breach of Trust, Abuse of Office and Conflict of Interest, contrary to Sections 13, 19 and 17 of the Anti-Corruption Law 2008, respectively in connection with the alleged importation of explosive substances without valid permits on or before February 2012.

Yesterday afternoon in an official statement the RCIP advised that Mr. Bush had been released on bail until February next year.  No charges have been preferred but the RCIP stated that the investigations into the alleged offences by Mr. Bush “are still very active”.

In a statement issued by me this past Tuesday afternoon I said that I am confident that the law will take its course and that we must give the authorities the opportunity to complete their work unimpeded; that this is indeed a period of uncertainty for our country but we must remain calm and trust in the system and the Rule of Law.  I still believe that to be the case.

Mr. Bush has today issued a defiant statement saying he has done nothing wrong and that he will not be resigning as Premier.

As I said on Tuesday, the arrest of the Premier has been a hugely damaging body blow to the reputation of these islands and to confidence in our government. The story has gone viral and has appeared in the news around the world. I have personally had talks with a number of local developers who have related to me the serious concerns of foreign investors over the Premier’s arrest.  There is no question but that this situation has already done immense harm to our credibility as an international business centre and a place to work and do business.

But the worst is yet to come.  The Premier’s announcement earlier today that he will not resign and will continue in office as though nothing has happened will do irreparable damage to the reputation of the government and to the Cayman Islands as a whole.

Mr. Bush is plainly treating the matter of his arrest with utter impunity and is determined to return to business as usual. Indeed, this morning he left for Jamaica as previously arranged to attend commencement services at the University College of the Caribbean at which it was previously announced that he will be awarded an honorary doctorate and that he would be delivering an address entitled: “Integrity, the Language of Leadership”.

On Tuesday the Deputy Premier, Hon. Julianna O’Connor-Connolly issued a statement saying “We the government fully understand the gravity of this matter”.  But it is far from clear that the members of the government do fully understand the gravity of this matter.  For if they did surely they would realize that in light of his arrest, bail and the continuing criminal investigations, Mr. Bush cannot possibly continue as Premier or as a member of the Cabinet. It is untenable for the Premier of the Cayman Islands to continue to run the country while on bail having been arrested on suspicion of having committed serious criminal offences, including theft.  It is untenable that the premier of the Cayman Islands should have to obtain the permission of the police every time he is required to travel overseas to conduct the country’s business.  It is untenable that for the foreseeable future business people will have to explain to any foreign investor or person doing business in Cayman how it is that the Premier of the Cayman Islands continues in office after having been arrested and bailed on suspicion of having committed serious criminal offences.

Accepted international best practice and the conventions of the Westminster system of government provide clear guidance as to the course of action that ought now to be followed by Mr. Bush and his Cabinet and supporting backbench MLAs.  Mr. Bush must step down as Premier and a minister of the Cabinet.

It is important to understand that Mr. Bush continues as Premier and a minister of the Cabinet only because he has the support of his colleagues in the Cabinet and the government back-bench.

The other members of the Cabinet and the government back-bench cannot remain quiet and hope that this blows over.  It is not going to blow over and arguments about “innocent until proven guilty” are not relevant.  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.  The issues now are:

1. the degree of reputational damage that is being done to the government and to the Cayman Islands as a whole by  Mr. Bush continuing as Premier in the present circumstances;

2. the potential for the investigations to be unduly influenced by the mere fact that the subject occupies the office of Premier.  It matters not whether the potential for undue influence is real or perceived for even the perception is damaging to the application of justice;

3. the virtual certainty that Mr. Bush will be distracted by the fact that he is being investigated for a number of alleged serious criminal offences.

In the interests of the Cayman Islands, I call on the members of the Cabinet: Hon Julianna O’Connor-Connolly; Hon Rolston Anglin, Hon. Mike Adam, Hon. Mark Scotland and the government back-bench, Hon. Cline Glidden, Capt. Eugene Ebanks, Mr. Dwayne Seymour and Mr. Ellio Solomon to take the necessary steps to remove Mr. McKeeva Bush as Premier and a minister of the Cabinet and appoint another of their number as Premier in his stead.

If they do not do so by 3pm tomorrow, I intend to immediately petition the Speaker of the House to call a special meeting of the Legislative Assembly early next week to consider the recent arrest of the Premier and his suitability to continue as Premier as a matter of urgent national importance.  Should the Speaker decline to exercise her discretion to call a Special Meeting, I shall endeavour to obtain the signatures of at least 7 members of the House to compel the Speaker to do so.  We will then proceed to file a Lack of Confidence motion to be debated in the Legislative Assembly which will give every member the opportunity to declare publicly where they stand on this critically important issue.

This must not be about what is in the best interest of Mr. Bush or his Government, this is about what is in the best interest of the reputation and image of these beloved Cayman Islands. We shall therefore be turning to civil society and all right thinking residents of these Islands for support in taking the first steps to restore pride, trust and confidence in our government.