Governor denies conspiracy
Posted on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 14:12 in Politics
(CNS): The Cayman Islands governor has described the conspiracy theories that the FCO is working against the country or the premier as “completely without foundation”. Responding to the accusations made by both McKeeva Bush and his Cabinet colleague, Rolston Anglin, this week that the UK government was out to undermine Cayman’s success and this was the reason why the premier was under police investigation, Duncan Taylor stressed his commitment to Cayman but also added that the OT Minister had made it clear on his recent visit that he was confident the police were pursuing the investigations which involve the premier properly.
Although Taylor is currently in the UK attending a governors’ conference, he said he had seen the Cayman 27 edition of “The Panel” on Tuesday evening and other reports of the programme. In an official statement released by his office he said the allegations made by the premier and the education minister during the programme were untrue.
“The suggestion that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or I are working against the interests of the Cayman Islands is completely without foundation,” Taylor stated.
“The UK Government’s vision for the Cayman Islands was set out clearly during the visit by the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Henry Bellingham, less than two weeks ago: a vision of a flourishing and vibrant economy, whose public finances are well managed and whose adherence to internationally recognised standards of governance enhances its reputation as a good place to live, work and do business.”
Taylor said he wholeheartedly supported that vision and would continue to devote his energy to help make it a reality.
“When I took up my responsibilities as Governor I swore an oath to 'well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II … and the people of the Cayman Islands'. I am passionately committed to fulfilling the oath I made.”
Taylor also pointed out that during Bellingham’s visit to Cayman he had made it clear that he was confident that the commissioner of police and RCIPS were pursuing the three police investigations into the premier properly.
“I share that view and remain confident that the Commissioner will ensure that the RCIPS carry out their responsibilities in this regard objectively and fairly,” the governor added.
In light of revelations last month that he is the subject of three separate police investigations, the premier began pointing the finger at the FCO and suggesting the announcement’s regarding the probes were designed merely to embarrass him and try to upset relations between the UDP and the new Conservative OT Minister.
Speaking on the panel on Tuesday evening, both Bush and Anglin indicated that they believed the FCO could not be trusted and, stopping short of calling for independence, they said they believed the “baseless allegations” surrounding Bush were connected to his having stood up to the demands of the FCO coupled with a desire to undermine the Cayman Islands success as a financial services sector.
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I am one of many Caymanians
I am one of many Caymanians that are thankful we are a British territory.
Can you imagine if Mac didn't have the UK to answer to?
I am one of the Caymanians
Hades would be an icberg to
Hades would be an icberg to The Cayman Islands, with McKeeva as the captain. His hands are clean and his heart is PURE.
Govenor Duncan, Mr.
Govenor Duncan, Mr. Bellingham and others....I guess by now you have figured out that when dealing with McKeeva Bush, you are dealing with anything else...but SENSE!! This man and his croonies are a runaway freight train loaded with dinamite and you sir, the FCO, the Caymanian people and especially the West Bayers, have got to STOP the train. He is trying to put us on the road of Independence and the people do NOT want Independence. Therefore, sir and the FCO please find that evidence and lock this man up in Northward with the West Bay gangs, afterall his is promoting gangs, by colour coding his party. He cannot roam our streets anymore, even though the people loves him, he cannot be allowed to, anymore. He comes up with some stupid cockeyed ideas overnight and wants to impliment them right away, without protocols. Arrest him now for disrespect of the FCO or something, but arrest him for dishonouring the Premier's Office. Because he is a Primier, he thinks he is God!! He wants to control everything!! Not me Bo Bo....I am NOT on your list!!
Go Sir, tighten the hatch
Go Sir,
tighten the hatch the squeeze is begining to hurt,
Let's clean up this mess once and for all, long overdue.
It is about the Islands and all the people best interest,
Let's get rid of, My this and My that attitude permanently
If you people think the
If you people think the Governor is a fool and going to listen to the crap being said you are making a big mistake.
I am a Caymanian and I also support the Premier, because I have seen the good he has done for Cayman Islands. The Governor just came here so he really does not know how much he has saved the cayman Islands from the bare teeth of the outside world.
I am also sure the Governor realizes the many English people living on here. I am also sure the English people are quite aware of the tension rising between Cayman and the UK. Now the fact is this. They are already living here, so why should not everyone try to get along.
I see dark clouds ahead, if Caymanians and those living here or on work permits do not decide to work together in the Island. Very, very dark clouds. Remember we all have children here, if they do not go to the same schools, they hangout at the same places. Let us teach them to love and get along.
Sometimes people will take advice from the elderly and some dont, but I urge you, take this advice from me. You may not see the unrest that I see, but I would say be still and watch the clouds get darker.
We see the unrest and we know
We see the unrest and we know that it is Mr. Mac that is causing it.
Conspiracy? Perhaps the
Conspiracy?
Perhaps the real conspiracy here is that McKeeva and his gang want indepencence. That way there will be no pesky checks and balances on their activities.
Nothing is officially
Nothing is officially confirmed, until it is officially......................denied!
The suggestion that the
The suggestion that the premier can do nothing until formally questioned by the police is complete nonsense. Why does he not issue a formal statement sworn before a JP or notary explaining the Stan Thomas invoice and the explosives shipment? He could present this sworn statement to the police as he is clearly now aware of the investigation and he could read the contents to the public in a broadcast statement. That would clear up a lot of the cloud that is now hanging over government. The premier goes on the radio and TV to talk about much less important things all the time. Why does he not make a public statement on this very important matter?
I agree -- the Premier is
I agree -- the Premier is aware of the charges and he and his lawyers could have laid this whole thing to rest a long time ago.
If there is nothing to hide, go to the Commissioner of Police, find out what the allegations are and voluntarily answer the charges so he can clear his name.
I get the feeling that John Evans has a major axe to grind and interprets eveything in that context. I am not defending the FCO -- I am sure that it is not lilly white -- but this is not about the FCO and that organisation's record has nothing to do with the allegations that havebeen made relative to the Premier. Let us not confuse the issues.
Caymanians want this matter fully aired and decided. This is largely an internal matter that needs to be resolved locally.
We don't want to have leaders with a blight on their name -- regardless of how talentd he or she may be -- and I do think that the Premier is a skilled leader in many respects. But he has to follow the laws and policies and operate with inegrity. That is the bottom line.
Or alternatively go off on a
Or alternatively go off on a paranoia induced public rant...
Governors come and go but our
Governors come and go but our Premier is a Caymanian elected by the Caymanian people and is here for life. Maybe it is time to get rid of the English and the other expats permanently so our Christian people can rule ourselves! Make our Premier the President of the Cayman Islands for life and I trust in the Almightly that things will improve for all us Caymanians!
You are kidding right? You
You are kidding right? You must have got something really good, don't forget to get that boat and paddle though or you will be up S*** Creek!
Yes, lets remove all of the
Yes, lets remove all of the foriegn banks, law firms, commercial and business enterprises, the bar staff, the restaurant staff, the hotel staff, the dive boat crews, the road gangs, the garbage men, the gardeners, the skilled and unskilled tradesmen and every other expat worker that calls Cayman home. Lets remove the whole fabric of what generates the wealth of these islands and who serve those that visit or wish to invest. Lets remove the doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals that care for the community and whilst we're at it, lets remove the police and prison staff who guard you against crime committed often by your own people.
Yes, let's move out and allow those small minded, bigoted, often racist and definately two faced zealots to get on with running what will end up as a mosquito ridden rock with no future in the wider world. Your god must be truly proud you, how can you call yourself a christian with such disgusting double standards.
Oh yes, once you rid yourself of those evil English and other expats, then you'll have to start looking at your own families and how many are racially mixed with the British, Americans, Cubans, Jamaicans, Hondurans, Philipinos, Indians etc....Ethnic cleansing is what its called and its a recognised crime against humanity, (not very christian either).
Then, once you've formed your family tree, ask yourself, who and what is a Caymanian? Good luck, you might need to ask the Almighty for help though.
"our christian people" -
"our christian people" - there isn't anything christian about the hatred you appear to have towards other people - or the "English and Ex-pats" as you call them. I wonder where you truly come from - considering the Cayman Islands is just over 500 years old, I suspect your ancestors were "expats"........thank goodness only 3 people gave you the thumbs up for your paragraph of poppycock. What a sad place this world would be if everyone thought like you.
The poster is unlikely to be
The poster is unlikely to be Caymanian or Christian or UDP. He is baiting you and you are taking it hook, line and sinker.
Most "christians" are tribal
Most "christians" are tribal anamals.
They love their tribal neighbours and happily screw everyone else.
Man, you surely are working
Man, you surely are working very hard for that refirerator this time around.
what rubbish!! btw you
what rubbish!! btw you forget this Governor is 'one of we' now and he has close Caymanian connections. And I also have no doubt that this Governor is a man of intergrity. Cant say the same for the other jokers in Govt. i am all for Mac getting his day in court but i am not about to buy into the idea that this investigation is not without basis or merit. The Governor needs to ask the Commissioner to get off Uglands yacht, leave the social parties for a bit and get on with a speedy resolution to these investigations. AND for God's sake please handle the investigations in a professional manner for a change (especially if its those muppets that they send from the UK to do the investigations). Mac is entitled to at least that!
Your comment sir is a total
Your comment sir is a total slap in the face of your so called EXPATS that have lived and worked here and contributed to the well being of this country.You are insulting my integrity and maybe you should do some soul searching BEFORE you make such inflamatory remarks.I have probably been here longer than you have been alive and maybe you should look before putting your foot in your mouth.My love for this country and its people has no limits so remember that before you shoot off your mouth.
Elio is on the radio this
Elio is on the radio this morning speaking of the FCO holding a cloud over our heads and having spies etc.
The facts are as follows:
1) True there is a cloud over our heads. But TWO, not one, persons can remove the cloud. Elio accuses the FCO is holding the cloud over our heads to destroy us. But isn't the Premier, who has an equal opportunity to remove the cloud, also destroying us if he willing chooses NOT to remove that cloud? What possible reason could our Premier have to NOT remove the cloud? In doing so, he is assiting, indeed working along side, the FCO.
2) We can accept there is an English presence. However, it is that presence that allowed us to prosper for so many years. The minute you turn on them, as the Bahamas did, their presence will dissapear, ALONG with our wealth.
Elio eats, sleeps and breaths the principal that he can fool most of the people most of the time. Its this kind of person that must be feared. Not those who have been a huge part of our success.
Ellio is so funny on the
Ellio is so funny on the radio because he is so deluded he has no clue how stupid he sounds. If only they had wecams too so we could see him and his haircut as he churned out his nonsense.
The puppets must be shaking
The puppets must be shaking in their shoes.
A lack of cooperation by Bush
A lack of cooperation by Bush would be any refusal to answer questions put forward to him by RCIPS investigators; as to date, there has been no statement by Mr. Baines, or Bush, that he has been interviewed or questioned on any matter. How could he provide evidence in an investigation in which no evidence has been requested from him by the RCIPS investigators supposedly handling these matters ? As John Evans has pointed out, this is looking like an underhand method by the FCO to unseat McKeeva Bush through the force of purposely manipulated public opinion...without any supporting evidence that could meet criminal charges criteria. There is no comparison with the Arden McLean investigation, which was a sly and underhand method by McKeeva Bush himself to discredit McLean but...all is fair in war, love and politics....tit for tat being the order of the day. McLean's situation had to do with a personal issue between CUC and himself; it would never hold the importance of the political leader of the country being put on public trial through the media by people who wish to force him out of office. I'm afraid, by all rules of fair play, this is beginning to appear as exactly that, and nothing more.
Firery, you trying to get me
Firery, you trying to get me into trouble here?
The problem I have with many of the comments being posted about this is that they are made by people with no actual experience of dealing with the FCO and no real understanding of how they, or in fact any section of the UK civil service (in which I was once an employee), can operate.
I've been trying to get the FCO to open up about Operation Tempura for about 18 months now.
The Governor has been supplied with documented evidence that Dan Duguay's 2009 audit of Tempura/Cealt was, to put it politely, mislead. His reaction is that it happened before his time and lessons have been learnt.
It seems to me that one of those lessons is that lying is always a good substitute for admitting an embarrassing truth.
I have also been trying to get a copy of the Aina report into the Polaine/Bridger complaints released under FOI. In the UK the appeal process has now been abandoned because it became very evident that, based on an initial release of documents, the FCO were not prepared to tell the truth even it meant civil servants committing perjury before the Tribunal. The reason for this became apparent after a copy of the original complaint was shown to the Independant newspaper who discovered it named several senior FCO officials.
I still haven't been given access to that complaint but based on other material, some of it supplied by the Metropolitan Police, I'm prepared to suggest (although for legal reasons not on a public forum XXXX) names for at least two of those officials XXXXX.
The FCO is nasty, devious organisation with close ties to the intelligence services. You trust them at your peril and if you want to act like sheep expect to get (I'm sure the word I really want to put here would get XXXXX) sheared.
The only thing that worries me is why, if the allegations are unfounded, McKeeva Bush is relying on these suggestions of conspiracy, which can do him no real good, and not using ECHR Article 6 (the right to a fair trial) to push Duncan Taylor into a 'put up or shut up' position. If his lawyers are on the ball it wouldn't take much to kill off this whole fiasco - assuming of course there is no truth in the allegations.
Your posts are invaluable to
Your posts are invaluable to this discussion Mr. Evans.
Many people fail to realize that this is a multi-faceted issue, and crucially, many are failing to identify the most important issue of all.
Thank you and please continue to forward your opinions and findings.
Take care.
BIG assumption there, John.
BIG assumption there, John.
In fact I think I owe Mr Bush
In fact I think I owe Mr Bush a partial apology on those comments because the conspiracy theories are nothing new.
These quotes come from the Tempura finances debate, page 245 (22 October 2009) onwards of Hansard 2009/10 - Ezzard Miller - 'One is hard pressed to not believe that there is the remotest possibility that our colonial masters are trying very desperately to shut this country down.' Arden McLean - 'I am convinced, Madam Speaker, that every one of them is trying to destroy my country. Now they are going to take my life, if that is what has to be done! It is my position, Madam Speaker, it is my opinion that every one of them is on some ulterior motive to take my country down. I will not allow them to do that! Not as long as I can stand on my two feet. I will not, if that is there objective!' He went on - 'The Governor can get on a British Airways flight in first class and go home and relax. I can't!'
It seems when the going gets tough all the MLAs head for the conspiracy theory but then, "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they really aren't out to get you."
Ironically, as you well know,
Ironically, as you well know, it was Mr. Bush together with Mr. Martin who initiated Operation Tempura. Notice that neither of those you quoted was the subject of the Operation Tempura investigation and therefore had no ulterior motives for suggesting conspiracy. It is therefore inappropriate to comment about all MLAs behaving in the same way "when the going gets tough" as if they were.
John, what does not follow is that everytime there is an investigation it must be as a result of the conspiracy by the FCO. Did the FCO send the letter to Stan Thomas? Did the FCO cause the Grand Court judge to refer the matter to the Governor? Did the FCO cause Mr. Bush to "help" someone in connection with the illegal importation of dynamite? It may be that the FCO are opportunists who use these occasions as opportunities to further their agenda but the finger must be pointed at those who are providing the opportunities and it in no way absolves them.
"How could he provide
"How could he provide evidence in an investigation in which no evidence has been requested from him by the RCIPS investigators supposedly handling these matters?"
Firery, by now the whole Cayman Islands and a good part of the rest of the offshore world have seen the notorious letter to Stan Thomas. They have also seen certain witnesses statements. McKeeva Bush himself was the first person who publicly indicated that he was aware of an investigation concerning that letter which he termed "a real estate bill". In those circumstances he could have been pro-active, like Arden, and gone to the Commissioner giving him full access to his records including any contract that he has to support his claim that this was a real estate bill. Instead what we got was a denial that he was even aware of any investigation and the suggestion that these were only rumours of investigation spread by the Opposition. That subsequently changed to not having received any "official notification" of the investigations. Why on earth would an innocent man whose hands are clean and heart is pure not take steps to clear his own name instead of awaiting official notification of an investigation? It makes no sense. XXXXX
Mr Bush has clearly lost the
Bring them on, then maybe
Bring them on, then maybe we'll send a message to these UDP parasites that the country and it's bank account are not their private domain to do with as they (and their hangers on) would wish.
"They are good, very good and
"They are good, very good and take no prisoners if the TCI boys are anything to go by"
Does sound eerily familiar Mr. Johnson !! Do you remember another UK character by the name of Martin Bridger and his expert investigation team dubbed "Operation Tempura" which cost the Cayman Islands Government about $10 million CI and still counting ?? Oh !! and with that amount of money wasted, not a single conviction was recorded for those charged or investigated. Our former Commisioner of Police at the time; hasn't got his "RED SACK" of Cayman Islands money as yet, but soon will, due to such incompetence by the MET !!!
I'm thinking, what we could be doing with over $10 million CI that went down the drain. Hell, we could almost pay off our defecit and probably pay all the land owners who lost their property, which was taken by the PPM government through land acquisition...... for new roads.
Where there's smoke there's
Where there's smoke there's fire. Bridger's mistake is that he didn't find the fire. If he had, then everything else would have been irrevalent. My conclusion is that he got stonewalled and decided to heck with it, they won't help me well I'll have me a good old time in that sun and sea. No different than some Caymanian politicians but as long as its not foreigners wasting our money it's okay. And yes, I have had my Civil Servant Supervisor tell me the foreigner should have _____ and I said "what about him/her" and the supervisor said "well, at least he/she is Caymanian."
Anonymous you hit it right on
Sorry Chris it's you who
Sorry Chris it's you who should look at the facts.
The only thing out there was the opportunity to make £787 a day tax free with free accommodation, business class flights and all the other perks plus collecting a Met pension of around £80K to top it all off.
As probably one of the most experienced accountants in the Cayman Islands you need to see all the material that was withheld from Dan Duguay in 2009. When you do your opinion of Tempura/Cealt might not be so favourable and you might join my campaign for, at the very least, the Auditor General to re-visit the original investigation.
Wasn't it you and your Net
Wasn't it you and your Net News colleague that brought Operation Tempura down on Cayman?
Amen Chris. Thanks for laying
Amen Chris. Thanks for laying it out well!
I am a Caymanian and I am
I am a Caymanian and I am grateful that we are a territory of Britain. I don't care how much Mac and the UDP rant, I don't believe anything they say anymore. I am thankful that we have the UK as a check and balance to our local government, as I shiver with fear of what would happen to my little country if didn't have that connection. I sort of think the UK has been very lenient with this government, because I would have liked to have changed them long time ago. I did not like them losing our money in the Cohen deal; I did not like them losing our money in the GLF deal; I do not like them using money from the dart project for their pet projects when it could have been used to the betterment of our country collectively, such as finishing the much needed high schools. Had they been the directors of my company, I would have terminated them long ago. Instead of alleging that the FCO are out to bring us down, go and do like Arden and cooperate fully with the Anti Corruption Commission and stop giving us garbage that you haven't done so in order to allow them to investigate it fairly. Mr. Governor, thanks for setting the record straight. As as for independence, NEVER will that occur in my life time and I shall make sure my children and grand children are informed and educated enough that they too will NEVER vote for that to occur.
18:59 I will surely say that
18:59 I will surely say that I respect being a territory of Britian, but I am very, very, very old, and remember quite well in the late 18th and early 19th century. Britian Neglected the Cayman Islands. It is only here of Lately that Britian has showed any interest in Cayman, and why, It is only because we are the 3rd largest Financial center in the world. Why should a mother be so jealous of her daughter marrrying a man with money it beats me.
I do not see Britian being nice or courteous to us in no way. The English people who live here do not talk to the Caymanians, they would knock you down and do not say good morning. They do not eat in our restaurants or visit any of our clubs, They lock their selves away in their Condos on the beach and snub.
Caymanians need to observe them more and th4en they will decide if the English care too hoots about the Island. However one thing they have not realize is that if Cayman falls they are going to go down with it. Do you think that one of these day everything is going to be so passive. I would suggest that everyone expatriates and Caymanians learn to get along. That is my advice.
'The English people who live
'The English people who live here do not talk to the Caymanians, they would knock you down and do not say good morning. They do not eat in our restaurants or visit any of our clubs, They lock their selves away in their Condos on the beach and snub.'
Haven't seen you at the Mango Tree recently. Haven't you tasted Welly's food recently. Haven't seen you walking through town recently. Haven't heard you saying good morning to me recently. Heard you rudely shouting out nasty things through the window of your passing car recently.
Is that 'all' or 'some'...?
I don't eat Wellys or go
I don't eat Wellys or go Mangoes. I'm a Caymanian. So they have a different taste in food. Jeez
The problem isn't your
Hey Mac, remember how the
Hey Mac, remember how the Governor did drape you up over the attack on the Auditor General, I hear he has 5 words for ya, "wait til I get home"
I don't expect any less from
I don't expect any less from the Premier and his colleague. Rather than demonstrate the Premier's innocence, they throw some red herrings to divert our attention.
Well, it is not working. This is not about the FCO -- it is about the Premier and whether he has or has not done wrong. Let's get the facts out there and lay this to rest if the Premier is innocent. I am not interested in the motives of the FCO right now, and I think this is true for most Caymanians.
The Premier has had ample time to clear his name but has not sought to do so. That is worrying.
Governor, continue doing your job, and don't let these diversionary tatics bother you. We are behind you and we want to see this investigation thorugh to its ultimate end.
Governor: "I share that view
Governor: "I share that view and remain confident that the Commissioner will ensure that the RCIPS carry out their responsibilities in this regard objectively and fairly." I hope so, because if I ever hear of overseas officers coming here and we have to pay their lucrative salaries and take their probes, I am going straight to London with my complaint.
Going to London with your
Going to London with your complaint about overseas officers coming here to investigate what appears to be corruption by the Premier? Why don't you head to West Bay and complain to the Premier?
He'll say it's a conspiracy.
He'll say it's a conspiracy.
It is high time for Mckeeva
It is high time for Mckeeva and ALL of his cronies to stop this foolishness. They are the ones doing more harm than good.
They should do the Country a favour and resign in block and let us have early elections to replace them.
They are an embarassment to one and all!!!
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