Never in my wildest dreams would I have known that the two top stories we ran yesterday (11) concerning corruption i.e. “International Anti-Corruption Day” and ”Professor says radical reforms needed to strengthen anti-corruption” would seemingly set in motion a crash course right into our back door the following day.

The shocking news to wake up this morning to and hear the news of our Premier, McKeeva Bush’s arrest.

We knew the premier was the subject of RCIPS investigations into two cases of financial irregularities and his involvement with an illegal shipment of dynamite, and there were many calls, especially from the opposition bench, for him to resign.

Bush loudly protested his innocence and said he had never even been questioned by the police about the three investigations.

That has changed. Not only is he now being questioned but the RCIPS arrested him on suspicion of :

• Theft,  in connection with financial irregularities relating to the alleged misuse of a Government credit card, and
• Breach of trust, Abuse of office and Conflict of interest, contrary to S13, S17 and S19 of the Anti-Corruption Law 2008 respectively, in connection with the alleged importation of explosive substances without valid permits on or before February 2012.

Since then we have had press releases received from the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, the People’s Progressive Movement (PPM), H.E. Governor Duncan Taylor, Cayman Finance and The Coalition for Cayman (C4C).

At the time of writing this Editorial at 3:45pm on Tuesday 11^th December, there has not been one statement released by the United Democratic Party (UDP) government.

Yes, we did receive a short release at 11:30am but within 2 minutes it was withdrawn with no explanation. There was nothing sensational in it and it just said the UDP were in Caucas and they fully understood the gravity of the situation.

It is SHOCKING that the government cannot issue a statement to at least reassure the people of the Cayman Islands that business will continue and someone other than the premier is at the helm making decisions.

The government has been making a name for last minute decisions, and some did not even make the last minute, but this silence is APPALLING!!!

No one in the government could make the sensible decision to release an innocuous statement to the press. Is it because their leader was at the police station and he is the only one who can make a decision?

Heaven help this country!

Now the whole world is buzzing with the words “Cayman” and “Corruption”.

What a course this once proud country has crashed into.

I leave you with the very best and most reassuring words from Chris Duggan of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce:

“The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service’s Financial Crime Unit’s investigation
leading up to today’s arrest has been ongoing for several months and the economy has
continued to perform robustly providing quality services and products to the world’s financial 
markets, international visitors and investors.

“We are wholly confident that that same level of
integrity and service will continue as the case works its way through the judicial system.

“The 
Chamber of Commerce unequivocally supports all actions by law enforcement officials to root
out any unethical behaviour that may damage the reputation of the Cayman Islands as a 
leading international financial centre and as a quality jurisdiction to conduct business and
 invest.”

Well said Mr. Duggan. Perhaps the government could put all their names to it. They did to the one they didn’t release and your is so much better!