News

Statement by the Honorable McKeeva Bush

I DO BELIEVE IT IS THE FRENCH THAT SAYS "THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME"
IT IS INDEED REMARKABLE THAT IN 2012 JUST WEEKS BEFORE I WAS TO TRAVEL TO JAMAICA TO HAVE BESTOWED ON ME, A HONORARY DEGREE, I WAS CHARGED WITH FRAUD RELATING TO THE USE OF MY LAWFULY ISSUED GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARD-THE RESULT- I WAS ACQUITTED.
THIS CAME ON THE HEELS OF THE FURORE, ABOUT MY HAVING BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF GRANTING CAYMANIAN STATUS, TO PERSONS WHO HAD SHOWN THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE CAYMAN ISLANDS.
I AM DUE TO TRAVEL IN A COUPLE WEEKS TIME OVERSEAS, REPRESENTING THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AT THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS SESSION, AND HERE COMES THIS MALICIOUS ACCUSATION AND CHARGE AGAINST ME; SAID TO HAVE OCCURRED TWENTY YEARS AGO.
NOT LOST IN THIS SERIES OF EVENTS, IS THE FACT THAT, I HAVE DARED TO RAISE, THE SPECTRE OF NECESSARY REFORM, AS IT RELATES TO BANKS MORTGAGE LENDING PRACTICES, INSURANCE COMPANIES, UTILITY RATE; AND NOW THIS.
I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I MAKE NO APOLOGIES, FOR MY UNSWERVING COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, ON BEHALF OF THOSE WITHOUT A VOICE, AND I AM COMFORTED BY THE FACT THAT NELSON MANDELA, KWAME NKRUMAH, MARCUS GARVEY, MARTIN LUTHER KING, PAUL BOGLE ... IN FACT ALL OF THE KNOWN FREEDOM FIGHTERS WERE PUT IN JAIL.
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IN RELATION TO THIS, THE LATEST IN THE SERIES OF MALICIOUS CHARGES AGAINST ME IS "TRUTH WILL COME OUT
THIS IS Done  BY SOMEONE I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY CONTACT WITH AND ONE WHOM THE PEOPLE OF BODDEN TOWN AND GEORGE TOWN SEEM TO KNOW VERY WELL.
I, OF COURSE REJECT, DENY AND PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO THIS EVIL PLOT.

Statement from Premier Hon. Wayne Panton

Yesterday’s news of the charges against Hon. McKeeva Bush, independent Member of Parliament for West Bay West, has no doubt been met with deep concern across our community.
“These charges are serious. Given the sensitive nature of the same, the rights of the parties involved and the fact that the matter should now be regarded as sub judice, it is inappropriate for me to comment further other than to say that I believe in the integrity of our judicial system and this is now a matter for the courts to address,” said Premier Hon. Wayne Panton.
Any further statements will be made as deemed appropriate.

Statement from the Opposition

MP McKeeva Bush has confirmed in a press statement that he has again been arrested, and indeed news reports confirmed that he made a court appearance on very serious charges involving a female.  Mr Bush has denied the allegations and, like everyone, is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise in a Court of Law.

However, there are facts that we cannot ignore.  Mr Bush is currently facing other serious charges against him involving two females.  That case will be going to trial later this year.  Also, in December 2020, Mr Bush pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct and two counts of assault on a female.

In the recent past, it was only after the Opposition sought to bring a motion of no confidence against the then-Speaker Bush that the Premier was able to convince Mr Bush and come to an arrangement with him to step down from his role as Speaker.  At the time, according to an article in an online media publication, Premier Panton accused the Opposition’s principled stand of being more about power than principle.   

It should be noted that the Opposition also stated on April 22, 2023, our surprise that Mr Bush had been appointed by the Premier to the Public Accounts Committee.  We said at the time that: 

“Once again, despite his many admonishments of Mr Bush and the court charges faced by Mr Bush, Premier Panton continues to promote his former speaker into high-profile political positions. It begs the question of whether Premier Panton’s claim that he cares about the treatment of women in our society is genuine. Instead, it would appear the Premier is more interested in appeasing some members of his government in a desperate attempt to cling to power.”

We now ask whether Premier Panton intends to continue allowing Mr Bush to remain as a part of his PACT Government, and sit on the government benches, and to also allow him to continue as a member of the Public Accounts Committee.