Archive for December, 2012
Prince Charles under attack over tax payments
(The Independent): Clarence House defended the Prince of Wales' financial arrangements today after he was reported to authorities over claims the Duchy of Cornwall is a "well entrenched tax avoidance scheme". Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, said it had written to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Margaret Hodge, chairwoman of the Public Accounts Committee, asking them to investigate the £728 million organisation's tax arrangements.It claims that an information commissioner ruling in November last year means the 675-year-old Duchy is a separate legal entity to the Prince – to whom it paid more than £18 million last year – making it liable for corporation tax.
Clarence House disputed this, saying today that the Duchy is a trust set up to generate income for Princes of Wales and not liable to pay the tax.
"The Prince voluntarily pays income tax on income generated by the Duchy, so there is no legal requirement to pay corporation tax and to do so would result in double taxation," a spokeswoman said.
The Duchy is the estate given to the heir to the throne, and according to its 2012 accounts, comprises around 53,408 hectares of land in 24 counties, mostly in the south west of England and including the whole of the Isles of Scilly.
MLAs agree to oust Mac
(CNS): Five UDP members of parliament have signed a letter along with the opposition calling for a no confidence in the government debate, which will see Premier Mckeeva Bush ousted from office before the end of Tuesday. With no agreement among the United Democratic Party on how to handle the crisis of their leader’s arrest, Juliana O’Connor Connolly, Rolston Anglin, Mark Scotland, Cline Glidden and Dwayne Seymour have put their names on a letter along with all of the opposition members, forcing a sitting of the House, after the speaker failed to respond to the opposition leader’s request Monday.
Ezzard Miller, the independent member for North Side, confirmed to CNS Tuesday morning that the letter from the opposition benches had been submitted to the speaker with eleven signatures — four more than the seven required to trigger the emergency meeting, which is expected to be held sometime this afternoon (Tuesday 18 December).
Although Mike Adam, Capt Eugene Ebanks and Ellio Solomon have not signed the letter calling for the meeting and a lack of confidence debate, it is understood that, should the motion succeed and bring down the current UDP administration led by the embattled McKeeva Bush, the three men might be encouraged to help reconstitute a UDP government until the General Elections in May.
If the premier remains with the UDP, it might still hold their majority of three. However, should Bush cross the floor taking any of the other three memebrs with him, the UDP splinter group would not be able to hold government.
As the opposition is unlikely to prop up a divided UDP, this will see Cayman go to the polls as early as March. However, if the UDP can regain some unity, Deputy Premier Juliana O'Connor Connolly would take up the job of premier for the next five months, while Anglin would become deputy. Glidden is still expected to take over Bush’s portfolio.
While the premier remained defiant about remaining in office one week after his arrest on serious criminal charges, including theft and offences under the anti-corruption law, the UDP caucus spent the last seven days flip-flopping over their loyalty to the UDP’s leader, the country’s first premier and the Cayman Islands longest serving member of the Legislative Assembly.
Check back to CNS for more on this story later today.
CNS Online Poll: How should the political crisis following the premier's arrest be resolved?
UDP split on support for Bush
(CNS): In the face of mounting rumour and speculation Monday, members of the United Democratic Party caucus spent the day flip-flopping over their decision to withdraw support for the premier in the wake of his arrest last Tuesday, sources close to the party told CNS. There was still no official word from the UDP almost a week after the arrest and the beleaguered premier also remained silent on the cracks in loyalty to him, but UDP backbencher Ellio Solomon publicly stated that he was backing McKeeva Bush in his decision to remain in office. With the party split down the middle over his refusal to step down, the caucus was unable to retain a united front. As a result, Cayman is now likely to face an early general election and could be going to the polls in March.
The premier and his supporters cannot count on all of the UDP members to defeat a no confidence vote and those who have declared against the premier cannot reform government without all eight standing together, leaving Cabinet members and the UDP mute.
The governor’s office has stated that it has received no word from either side. The office confirmed to CNS Monday that it had not heard anything from the party membership or the premier about the situation and until the governor heard from one or the other, the premier remained in charge of the Cayman government.
The premier was arrested on Tuesday 11 December on suspicion of theft and various offences under the anti-corruption law in relation to the alleged misuse of a government credit card and the importation of dynamite by Midland Acres without the correct permit. Since then, the UDP government has been silent about whether or not the party remained behind him. However, caucus members, with the exception of Solomon, handed Bush a letter this weekend asking him to step aside until the police investigation into corruption was concluded.
Bush was released on Thursday on police bail until February. Following his departure to Jamaica last Thursday, he issued a statement confirming that he had no intentions of resigning. The premier has maintained that he is innocent of all allegations and planned to remain as the Cayman Islands premier but his colleagues appear to be hopelessly split over their support for the party leader. Although Bush insists he is staying, the UDP caucus does have the power to oust him, but so far the eight remaining Cabinet members and back benchers have been in turmoil and have failed to use that power.
Throughout the weekend and all of Monday at least four members of the UDP caucus have flip-flopped over their support for the premier, with three members solid in their opposition and only one solid in support.
By Monday evening there was still no word from Cabinet, caucus or the party’s general council and only Solomon spoke up publicly for Bush, saying in an interview with Cayman27 that he supported the premier remaining in office and had not signed the letter. However, sources tell CNS that Solomon’s continued support for Bush is because the rest of his party colleagues refused to sanction him taking a Cabinet post rather than any genuine support for the UDP boss and political veteran.
The indecision of the UDP leaves the country in crisis as the premier was reportedly insisting he was not resigning Monday. While he clearly no longer carries the cross-rank support he had managed to maintain since last summer when the police interest in him was revealed, the party membership has still not been brave enough to oust their leader. With the UDP split, neither group will be able to command a majority and the government is increasingly likely to fall before Christmas, triggering elections within ten weeks.
Bush himself remained silent Monday, despite stating that he planned to deliver a statement to the people in the evening. He was said to have accused his party colleagues of stabbing him in the back and that he would not be resigning but was taking some time off on the advice of his doctor until Cabinet reconvened in January.
He was, however, spotted at a charity football event in the evening while his West Bay political colleagues were unable to join him as they remained locked behind closed doors wrangling over who would and who wouldn’t stand by the UDP leader.
Miss Cayman gears up for big time Vegas pageant
(CNS): With the preliminary rounds, including swimwear and the national costume shows, already recorded, Cayman’s Lindsay Japal is now gearing up for the big night on Wednesday in Las Vegas for the Miss Universe contest. On-line voting is still open ahead of the televised event and fans can vote for Miss Cayman Islands on the website. The 61st Miss Universe pageant will be broadcast live on NBC from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino when Miss Leila Lopes from Angola will crown the new winner from over 88 contestants from around the world. CNS has contacted the tourism ministry to find out if an official delegation is going to support Miss Cayman Islands but there has been no response.
To vote for Miss Cayman and for more information go to missuniverse.com
Click here to see Lindsay Japal's profile
Still no sightings of missing Guyanese man
(CNS): Updated Monday — Despite extensive searches over the last few days the police said there is still no sign of the 31-year-old Guyanese national who was visiting Cayman and was last seen Tuesday. An RCIPS spokesperson said that officers searching for Hemerson Gonzalez are appealing for the public’s help as he has now been missing for six days. As the days pass police said they are becoming increasingly concerned about his health as he had been suffering from severe vomiting before he went missing. There have been no confirmed sightings of Gonzalez since Tuesday afternoon and he has not been in contact with friends or sought medical attention.
Detective Superintendent Marlon Bodden is urging anyone who has seen Gonzalez, or who is aware of his current whereabouts, to contact the police immediately to ensure that he receives urgent welfare and medical attention.
Gonzalez speaks with a Guyanese accent, is about 5’ 8” tall, with a dark brown complexion and curly black hair, which is about 1-1.5 inches long. He weighs about 180lbs, has a tattoo of a compass on his left forearm and writing tattooed on the inside of his left wrist. When last seen he was wearing brown jeans shorts, a t-shirt and blue low cut cloth shoes.
RCIPS officers along with Air Operation Unit carried out an extensive search for Gonzalez Saturday without success. Police also went on the streets handing out flyers with Gonzalez' picture on it and officers are continuing the search.
Gonzalez was staying with a friend in Canyon Dawn Drive in the Spotts Newlands area, where he was last seen around 5:30pm on 11 December. At the time Gonzalez was feeling ill and had been suffering from severe vomiting.
“No matter how insignificant your information may appear to you we would like to hear from you,” the police stated. People can also call any of the police stations or Crime- Stoppers at 1800Tips (8477).
Gonzalez arrived in Grand Cayman on Sunday, 9 December and has not been in contact with any friends since Tuesday evening. Checks with local hospitals have confirmed that he has not sought medical attention for his illness. Although not residing in Cayman, Gonzales is said to be a frequent visitor here.
The lead investigating officer on the missing person case is Detective Sergeant Charmane Huntley, who can be reached at George Town Police Station Criminal Investigation Department 9494222. The RCIPS Major Incident Room has been activated at the George Town Police Station. Anyone with information can call 925-7240 or 926-3975. Police have also created an e-mail account to allow people to send onformaiton on-line directly to the incident room HemersonGonzalez@hotmail.com.
Anyone who knows of his current whereabouts, or can supply any information about his movements since 5:30pm on Tuesday is asked to call or email as soon as possible.
Buccaneers win Heineken Charity Shield
(CRFU): The Advance Fire & Plumbing Buccaneers ended their Heineken Shield drought with a win 14-12 win over the Century 21 Cayman Storm on 15 December. Having competed for the shield 3 out of the 4years the trophy has existed the Buccaneers have succumbed to the Storm and the John Doak Architecture Iguanas in previous battles but it was to be 3rd time lucky for the Buccaneers.Last year the Shield was secured by the John Doak Architecture Iguanas with a hard fought 23-5 win over the Buccaneers but the score line was a much tighter affair this time round.
The Buccaneers had an easy run in the early stages of the game with the Cayman Storm seemingly hell bent on giving away as many penalties as possible and those penalties that were kickable were easily slotted by Mariano Marco to take the score to 9-0 before Marco’s kicking boot lost its sight. 2 more missed penalties could have wrong up a 15-0 score line before half time but DHL Scores against the run of play either side of the half time break gave the Storm a 12-9 lead which they held on to tooth and nail heading into the closing stages.
The Storm could have held on for the win was it not for 2 yellow cards for continual infringement and further injuries in their scrum. Injuries that would prove crucial as the Bucanneers new advantage in the pack led to a push over scrum to bring up the final score of 14-12.
Earlier in the day the Queensgate Pigs Trotters had an easy run against a weakened John Doak Architecture side to win handsomely 40-12. The Iguanas, missing key players in the back line and pack due to a mixture of off island absences and injury started the game with 14 players, went down to 13 with an early yellow card and thanks to further injuries in the 2nd half only enjoyed 1 period of play with a full 15 men on the pitch, The Pigs Trotters, having not beaten the Iguanas in some time took no time in capitalising on the numbers advantage. The Iguanas meanwhile worked hard to earn 2 tries against the odds
Next games:
CRFU annual Boxing Day Match:
26 December 2012 @3pm
Alex Alexander Memorial League Trophy 1st Round:
26 January 2013
Century 21 Cayman Storm vs. Queensgate Pigs Trotters @2pm
Advance Fire & Plumbing Buccaneers vs. John Doak Architecture Iguanas @4pm
All games are streamed live worldwide on www.caymanrugbytv.com
Follow Cayman Rugby on Facebook and Twitter @caymanrugby
Four more new cases of suspected dengue reported
(CNS): Although officials say that the number of dengue cases in Cayman has begun to fall a further four suspected cases were reported to the public health department last week. This brings the total number of cases which have been under investigation for dengue since the beginning of the year to 86. Of the four new suspected cases that were reported since 8 December one had travel history to an endemic area, two were residents of West Bay, one in George Town and fourth is living in Bodden Town. With no results received this week the total number of positive cases remains at 31 with 19 results pending.
So far 25 people have been admitted to hospital suspected of having the disease but only 12 confirmed cases were confirmed as dengue fever. Six of the cases turned out to be something else and officials are waiting on results for the other seven.
Gunman fired multiple shots
(CNS): Police have now confirmed that the 23-year-old man shot dead in George Town last night was Jackson Rainford, a Jamaican national who was living in Spotts Newlands. Rainford was reportedly shot several times by a single gunman while sitting in the passenger seat of a white Honda Civic. A police spokesperson said the gunman made his escape from the scene on foot. A 20-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after 1.00am Monday in connection with the shooting and remains in police custody while enquiries continue. Detective Superintendent Marlon Bodden is urging anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting to contact the enquiry team.
The incident occurred at about 10.30pm last night, Sunday 16 December, when Rainford was sitting in the car in Shedden Road near to Printers Way. The shooter, armed with a firearm, approached the vehicle and shot the victim several times before running off. According to the police report, the driver of the civic was not injured in the incident. When police arrived on the scene a short time later, officers tried in vain to resuscitate Rainford and he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The crime scene was initially searched last night and then remained sealed off until a further search could be carried out in daylight, but the scene and surrounding roads were reopened around 10:20 am today.
A murder incident room has been established at George Town police station and a team of 15 officers is currently dedicated to the investigation. DS Bodden urged anyone who may have information to call the murder team directly on 649-3057 or 649-4522. Alternatively, people can call the confidential Crime Stoppers number 800-8477 (TIPS).
Only two weeks before the end of the year, this is the first murder to take place in Cayman in 2012.
Students who can’t pay won’t be barred from exams
(CNS): The education department has confirmed that no student will be excluded from taking examinations because of their inability to pay in advance. All internal examinations and tests in our government schools are free to all students. Caymanian students pay no school fees and non-Caymanian students are assessed at what the ministry said was low fees, as provided in law, based on the stage of education. It also noted that at present no students are required to pay book fees but may be asked to contribute to practical fees for certain subjects such as Technology, Home Economics and similar courses.
Students are required to pay the costs for external examination fees these fees are collected by the school but are paid to the external examination boards, such as CXC – the Caribbean Examinations Council.
Officials sad that the education services department as well as the education minister are very sensitive to the economic pressures faced by families and a number of steps have been taken to help make the costs of external examinations more manageable.
Schools are working to send out payment notices well in advance so that parents can budget accordingly. Payment plans are available for parents who find it difficult to pay the full amount in one installment. For cases in which parents are genuinely unable to pay fees, the Department of Children and Family Services has provided support through their programmes.
Students are not restricted from taking examinations, even if the fees have not been paid. However, they cannot collect their certificates or be issued transcripts of external examination results until these debts have been cleared.
It should be noted that the total current annual cost for external examinations for our students is in the region of $250,000, reflecting the dramatic increase in recent years of students who are sitting and passing internationally recognized and accredited qualifications.
UK wastes £millions in Russia corruption clean-up
(Daily Mail): Britain spent £4.5million of its international aid budget on combating corruption in Russia, before civil servants admitted the programme had been largely unsuccessful. The money was spent between 2007 and 2011 on trying to make public administration in Russia, where bribery is rife, more efficient and transparent. It funded training courses for officials run by locally based non-governmental organisations. Information released by Whitehall also reveals that £542,000 of taxpayers' money went on helping Russia give cash to other countries as it became an 'emerging donor'. This included giving technical advice to officials in charge of Moscow's aid to Africa and Asia.
£114,803 was given to a programme designed to enable elderly Russians to influence decision-makers. £6,156 was contributed to the cost of translating documents on labour migration for use by aid organisations based in Russia.
In a report submitted to Ministers, the Department for International Development (DFID) admitted that although the anti-corruption training courses were generally well attended, 'evidence that they are changing behaviour is weak'.