Mac accuses C4C of professional dishonesty

| 16/05/2013

i_lied_get_over_it.jpg(CNS): The former premier, who is the target of much of the criticisms regarding the lack of integrity in the local political landscape, has questioned the honesty of some of the Coalition for Cayman candidates. Appearing as a guest on the local TV network’s talk show Tuesday, alongside Oposition Leader Alden McLaughlin and Roy McTaggart, who is emerging as the C4C’s leader, McKeeva Bush suggested that members of the C4C running for office were guilty of professional dishonesty. Without naming anyone, Bush said that as part of Cabinet he had learned about the “skeletons” in their closets but investigations were not instigated to protect Cayman from the UK.

“There is much talk about integrity and finger pointing by the PPM and the C4C and why they won’t form governments with whomever and why they are supposedly the paragons of virtue in this country,” Bush said in the final segment of Cayman 27’s The Panel, hosted by Tammi Sulliman. “What they are not telling you is that they themselves have skeletons in their closets,” he added.

After serving in Cabinet over the years, the political veteran said, his government had been made aware of “unethical practices and huge cases of over billing” here in Cayman.

“Had these allegations been investigated, some of these persons would not be able to get up on a platform speaking about integrity and honesty as they wouldn’t have reached partnerships within their respective firms and would have lost their professional qualifications and, worse, they and their firms would have been put before the courts,” the former premier claimed.

Bush’s accusations came after both McTaggart and McLaughlin had made it clear that no matter what happened on the morning of 23 May, they would not be joining any government led by Bush.

After making his allegations about C4C and leaving it to viewers to read between the lines about the who he was referring to, Bush turned to McTaggart and said, “Now if you don’t want to work with me that’s your business but when the people elect me I am going to try to form a government with whoever is there.”

During the debate Bush had emphasised his position that he was willing to pull a government together with anyone who was there, as all elected officials had a duty to work with whomever the electorate sends to the Legislative Assembly. While McTaggart and McLaughlin were fighting about who should be premier, he said, he would get on to work for the country.

Following his first dose of a vintage Bush performance, McTaggart asked the former premier to clarify his allegations regarding the questions of professional dishonesty regarding C4C candidates. “I don’t know where he is coming fromwith this but if he knows something, we deserve to know,” McTaggart said.

In response, the former premier was quick to point out why the issue had never been raised publicly before and suggested that the former KPMG partner should know all about it.

“We kept it down because we are small and as Caymanians we said we are not going to destroy Caymanians, which is what the FCO would have wanted. But I can tell you, you go way back and you know about it,” Bush told McTaggart, as the programme drew to a close.

During the two hour long debate Bush also implied that McTaggart and other C4C candidates were part of the 600-strong meeting of business leaders in 2009 that had supported the budget package, when Bush was forced to begin the implementation of more fees on the business community to balance the books. He also suggested that it was C4C candidates who had come up with the controversial payroll tax as an alternative to property, income or sales tax, which the UK was trying to force on the CIG.

Bush, who came armed and ready to defend any allegations of dishonesty that were thrown at him, also made a point of hurling his traditional allegations against the opposition leader that all of Cayman’s ills could be laid at his door because of the money he spent on the schools.

Watch all of the show here.

Vote in CNS on-line poll: How will you be voting?

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Politics

About the Author ()

Comments (51)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Roy McTaggart says:

    In response to the recent accusations made earlier this week on The Panel. Anyone who knows me will recognise that I would never condone nor engage in over billing practices as this is common theft. It is unfortunate that Mr Bush chose to make these false accusation at the end of the show giving me no time to respond and providing no time for me to question him further on his false accusation. This may be the "ambush attack" style of politics that Mr Bush takes part in but it is not how I ever did, or ever will do business.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well Said Roy!  Bush is grasping at straws as he can find nothing to discredit you and is now trying this 'Gutter Politics' style to confuse the electorate.

      You are the man who will help to get us out of this hole we are in.

  2. SKEPTICAL says:

    If bush WAS aware of corrupt practices, then he clearly has not read the Anti- Corruption Law. It is just as much an offence to fail to report corrupt activity, as it is to be personally involved in it.

  3. The lone haranguer rides again! says:

    Cheap shot Mac,smoke and mirrors baby, keep em guessing, razzle dazzle, bob and weave, lie cheat and steal, just another day at the UDP.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Mac, Roy, Jude — all good buddies when the shades are pulled!  Elections are good for house cleaning.

     

    I'll be sure to vote PPM.

    • Anonymous says:

      Don't forget to add Winston to that.

      • Caymanian VOTING says:

        Don't you DARE.  That man donates his time beyond ANYONE sitting at your laptop here. (you silly sheep) 

        I've SEEN the making of this man out in the community BEFORE he ran for office and don't you dare discount HIS community efforts you shallow slimy sidewinder you.  Never tear down a true man, he is honest and good.

        WHAT have YOU done?  I thought so.

        • Anonymous says:

          lol. The Winston I am talking about is the one who was meeting with UDP in 2009 to decide whether he should stand as one of their candidates and was subsequenty appointed to chair boards by them.  

          If there is one thing I detest it is lack of principle and going along to get along.

          Your "slimy sidewinder" commented is completely misdirected.  

          Oh, and I have done a great deal more than Winston ever has. 

    • Caymanian VOTING says:

      WHY dear sheep?  Why?  Oh, you would rather have the PARTY hand out and false promises than an accountant balancing the books for your grandchildren?  How "only for me & this moment" selfish of YOU.

      PPM / UDP, call 'em whatever you like.  We are only 50,000 people, not a huge country pr corporation, yet these parties have brought DEBT  to our eyebrows and the country to our knees.

      Stop following the party line and let's get back to some basic book balancing!  I'n for Roy and the KPMG to clean house. Bring in the businessmen for the people!!!

      If as shareholders we have 50,000 employees?  Let;s DO the math… we still would only be HALF the size of Disney Corporation so WHY are we run like such a Mickey Mouse (MAC or PPM) operation?

      For goodness sake!  We could "outsource" our entire financial problem to one mid-level firm, solve it, and send every Caymanian child to a top overseas boarding school for 10 years with the amount these bandits have stolen from your purse!!!  Don't believe me?

      http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2010/performers/companies/biggest/employees.html

      It is time for "Company Cayman" C4C and "Independents" again….like we used to have during our prosperous time oh dear silly sheep!  (We need C4C, Bo, & Baraud) to kick the politcal career BUMS OUT – No more career polticians….

      This "shareholder" is going corporate.  XXX

       

       

       

    • Anonymous says:

      These are indeed interesting times…. stay tuned and we will hear much more, however, voters on 22 May 22013 please do what is right and elect leaders with integrity and honesty.

  5. Anonymous says:

    OK so you really can fool some of the people ALL of the time in Grand Cayman.

  6. Anonymous says:

    And that Cleveland kidnapper said it was the victims fault….hmm.

  7. Adult fiction says:

    "There was always corruption!!  It goes way back!!  I know…because I was there!!!!  I mean..I was there and knew about it but I wasn't…  you know.. part of it. And I didn't do anything about it because I errr didn't want to get in the way. I mean…not in the way.  Not in the way you think I mean in the way but… I would have stopped it. If the corruption had been in the way. Of my own. I mean.. I was aware of it but I was busy with…. There is only room for so much corruption on a small isalnd!!! I mean… I can't stand corruption!!"

  8. Anonymous says:

    What I saw looked like a desperate man ranting, quite sad but he is going to get everything he deserves.

  9. Anonymous says:

    So Mac is saying they are crooks but he did not or will not report them.  Well that makes sense he is an(alleged) Crook and did not like being reported.  So I guess he is saying he is showing "honor" amongst thieves.

    More reason not to vote for him.  He will not report crime he knows about  he as much as admitted it.  The man is laughable.

  10. CayStudent says:

    Well Bush, looks like you've kept this as a 'skeleton' too in your closet ! If you see evil and do not report it, then you are no better. No integrity whatsoever. 

  11. Anonymous says:

    This seems interesting…. I am by far from being a Mac supporter however, common sense dictates that some of the crap he did and came up with did not all come from him. Honestly, people we all heard some this man's speeches he wrote for himself and seen that Stan Thomas letter. He don't got the sense to think of some of these things. He had support on them and usually Cayman's political agenda has to receive support from some people in both the political and financial communities. I don't think it is publicly known enough how the large financial services/business community throws it's weight around to get what they want politically. AFTERALL, SOME OF THE NOW C4C MEMBERS WERE PREVIOUSLY HIGH RANKING MEMBERS OF THE UDP. I think it is high time Cayman completely knows who is involved in what. TIME FOR ALL THE NAMES AND CULPRITS TO BE CALLED OUT.

    • Anonymous says:

      What C4C members were high ranking members of the UDP?  C4C endorsed 7 independent candidates—that did not necessarily mean they are C4C members.  Are you now slandering private citizens who are members of a public awareness group?

      Stefan Baraud was a very visible high ranking member of the UDP.

       

      Do not make shouts that you know nothing about.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Was this on the same show that Mac disrespected the host and wouldn't observe her requested instructions? I think he just doesn't like being called "Mr Bush" In many government office he would have been arrested for his gestures and tone directed at Miss Tammy. They have signs posted stating so, maybe she needs to post one of those signs in the studio for his future visits!

    • Anonymous says:

      Miss Tammy, you are one brave lady!!!!! Cool as a cucumber!

    • Caymanian VOTING says:

      Hear Hear for hard working and senisble Miss Tammi.  She is a Pro and Mac looks the fool.

  13. Anonymous says:

    If anyone with skeletons in their closet gets elected, that's the kind of person Mac can wuk wid.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Is Mr McTaggart going to put Mckeeva before the courts and allow him to prove his allegations or pay the price of slander?

  15. Slowpoke says:

    Next time, Cayman27 needs to provide Tammie with a mute button on the panelist's microphones…

  16. Anonymous says:

    Mac accuses others of dishonesty. He can't be serious!

  17. Anonymous says:

    Please go away for good, former Premier.    You and your ilk have all but destroyed this good country.   If you had merely done no harm during the last administration, that would not have been enough to return you to office.    The sheer audacity and gall of you knows no bounds, apparently.   You make me sick to my stomach to think I ever had hope that you would choose to do the right thing — just ONE single thing — for the good of our country.   You have done more harm in 3 1/2 years than in all other administrations combined, and at a time when we most needed a leader with honor, integrity, and loyalty to country.    My family and many others like mine suffer due to your penchant for pissing away our money and selling out your country.   May God had mercy on your soul, and may you get what you deserve.  

  18. Anonymous says:

    Doesn't McKeeva realise that by admitting he covered up these unspecified acts of misconduct he's as guilty of dishonesty as those he's accusing?  

    • The Rt. Hon. Anon. says:

      No he doesn't. That in itself testifies the grotesque ignorance of this man.

       

      Having the morals of a snake XXXX is one thing, but not realising you are admitting to this on TV whilst trying to score points against an opponent shows him up as STUPID, pure and simple.

       

      Granny's wits tell UDP types not to commit to TV or public debate unless absolutely necessary, lest their personal shortcomings become all too apparent – which is  why JOCo never turns up to any public meetings or debates.

  19. Big Whopper says:

    Tami Sullivan should have given Bushi one lick cross his lying ass that night.

  20. Anonymous says:

    So, if Mac is right about c4c, is Mac himself then guilty of Unprofessional Dishonesty? What is the next step up that scale people as I am struggling with the English here??

     Whatever they (c4c) may or may not have done (and of course Mac doesn't say, fact would spoil a good story) then Mac has got to be 100 times worse…and owing to the lack of fact in Mac's statement,  then that in itself is Unprofessional Dishonesty, is it not??

    Damn clever with words that man, tricky to follow. Point is, don't vote for the man or his party, he would sell his kids, his grandmother into slavery and swear they wanted same. Which they probably would with him around.

    • Anonymous says:

      'Tricky to follow'? Nah, just apply the old adage about politcians with their lips moving and you'll understand his every word.

  21. Anonymous says:

    It really must be true that it takes one to know one.

  22. Just Commentin' says:

    What kind of fools does Bush take us for? It should be clear to anyone with half brain that his "hinting" at unethical behaviour without any pledge of full disclosure forthcoming is nothing more than yet another cheap shot from an ambitious but pathetic and desperate man. That kind of tantalising but unsubstantiated declaration is barely fitting for the headlines and cover story of a cheap sleazy tabloid, but is certainly most disgusting coming from a person who aspires to lead a government.

    If Bush were a true leader with even a grain of integrity – a leader who actually did have the best interest of this country at heart – he would certainly come forth, name names and make full disclosure to the proper authorities so the allegations may be properly investigated. If he indeed was possessed of "clean hands and a pure heart", it would follow that Bush would be happy to assist in ridding the Cayman Islands of the cancer of corruption. The fact that he would use the issue to score political points is very telling of the true character of Makeeva Bush.

    I challenge any UDP supporters here to refute what I say. You cannot because it is both true and logical. It is time to admit to yourselves that your messiah is a whited sepulcher full of dead mens bones. I will furthermore proffer this: The only type of person who would deliberately withhold evidence of corruption is a corrupt person. Only corrupt people support corrupt leaders. Apply as appropriate, UDP supporters! (My God! When will you wake up?)

    • PickedMyPoison says:

      I would love to like your comment a thousand times over! But I'm afraid CNS won't allow it.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Kettle calling pot black

  24. Anonymous says:

    It will be a very dark day in Cayman if this clown gets back in…

    • Anonymous says:

      Preppare your rain gear for Wednesday then – lol

       

      The only way Mac isnt in Govt is if he loses his court case. Now if his party has the majority is the only thing in question?

      The rest of CI districts cant allow that.

  25. Anonymous says:

    I truly find it incredible that mckeeva ia STILL blaming the state of the country's affairs on the PPM after four years of UDP misgowernment, and after promising to turn the economy around in 90 days he is hoping to again get elected by promising to do it in 100 days. At least he's given himself ten more days this time around. But the most frightening thing of all is that there are those among the voting public that will buy into the rank crap from this man yet one more time. God help us. 

    • Anonymous says:

      AFTER 8 YEARS. We really need to change the law… you have 8 years if the people so choose and you're OUT.

  26. Anonymous says:

    I will be voting for a Government that won't hide skeletons and who will deliver a truly honest and transparent Government. Vote PPM straight

    • Anonymous says:

      PPM, whose former leader ran a profitable business into the ground with mismanagement, and the current leader built schools to make up for some short-coming somewhere.You do realize every resident of the islands basically paid $2000.00 each for Clifton Hunter! Outragous!

      • Anonymous says:

        At least the PPM have someting good and lasting to show for their money spent….It costs a LOT more than $2000 per head to keep people in prison ..crimes due to lack of education..which do you want..?

      • Anonymous says:

        Actually the average cost per student was less that what was spent on C.I.S. 

        I wish we had had such a lovely facility when we were at C.I.H.S. which didn't look like it had been updated in decades before being abandoned. 

      • Anonymous says:

        So you are saying that Clifton Hunter cost each resident $2000? Remember that 30% of that was spent by the PPM and 70% by the UDP. 

      • Anonymous says:

        And how many tens of thousands will each resident have to pay to cover the hundreds of millions in expenses arising from the Mac status grants and the corresponding mass importation of poverty as several thousand persons with no particular means or skills or connection with Cayman became a part of our society as a direct result? And you complain about schools?

      • Anonymous says:

        Is that all? Great deal I went to CIHS for 5 Years never paid a dime, if I have to pay $2000 now for my kids to go to an improved facility I am cool with that. What I hate is the money I pay every year for the Turtle Farm ans CAL

      • Anonymous says:

        To be honest, I hadn't thought of it that way.  But if your calculation is correct it sounds like a good deal to me.  $2,000 each?  To serve the children of Cayman for the next 50 years?  I'm not being sarcasric and am not a Progressive, but that sounds cheap!

  27. Union Jack says:

    "We kept it down because we are small and as Caymanians we said we are not going to destroy Caymanians which is what the FCO would have wanted but I can tell you, you go way back and you know about it,”   The FCO needs to know that Mac has deliberately been keeping important information from the FCO aboiut corrupt practices.  This single sentence indicates why the man is unfit EVER to be a member of any public body.  The FCU should investigate this statement and ACT NOW.

  28. SSM345 says:

    Pot calling the keetle black as usual.

    Will this man ever bring anything to the table?

    So Bush admitted to facilitating corruption on TV, finally he is starting to admit.

    The UK are coming people, this election and the results are going to guarantee it.