Mac appears in court

(CNS): Standing adjacent to the dock, the former Cayman Islands premier made his first appearance in court on Friday. McKeeva Bush remained silent throughout the proceedings in the Summary Court as his case was moved to the Grand Court, without him ever being called into the dock. Magistrate Valdis Foldats noted that six of the eleven counts against the UDP leader are category A offences and the remaining five were directly related, therefore the case must be transmitted to the higher court immediately. Despite a request from the West Bay incumbent's attorney, Michael Alberga, that the case be ajourned until after the election, the magistrate agreed with the crown that it had to be at least mentioned in the Grand Court before then and Bush's next appearance was set for 26 April.

The former premier, who remains the leader of the United Democratic Party, which is fielding twelve candidates in this election, is facing eleven charges relating to theft, misconduct in a public office and breach of trust.

Bush has denied all of the charges against him and has claimed there is a conspiracy by the UK and the current governor to unseat him and derail his political ambitions because of his outspoken attitude and defiance of Cayman's colonial masters.