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Works start on West Bay Rd
(CNS): Workers from the National Roads Authority (NRA) began closing part of the West Bay Road on Wednesday in preparation for construction work on the northern side of the road heading towards George Town. NRA representatives at the location confirmed that they were hoping to close the lane on Thursday and direct all traffic into two narrow lanes on the southwestbound side towards West Bay in order to begin work on the junction for the Esterley Tibbetts Highway (ETH) extension ahead of what is looking increasingly like the permanent closure of the West Bay Road.
There has been no official word from the roads authority or the Dart Group about the closure or the likely disruption to traffic while work is underway on the access point to what will be the bypass.
Yacht Drive is already closed and access is being gained via the Salt Creek entrance as Dart and the NRA approach the completion of the stretch of highway that will enable them to close that stretch of the West Bay Road. This closure will also facilitate the development of what will become the developer's beachfront property.
Although government, Dart and the NRA signed a preliminary agreement under the ForCayman Investment Alliance in December 2011, the main deal has not yet been signed or revealed to the public. In addition, questions over the legality of the vesting of crown land, which forms part of the deal, have not yet been addressed.
Cayman Airways considers purchase of planes
(CNS Business): The new tourism minister has revealed that Cayman Airways Limited is consideringbuying some, if not all, of the planes it currently leases following feedback from the leasing company and discussions with the UK. Cline Glidden explained that the four aircraft cost CAL more than $6.3 million per year in fees and, as the planes are coming to the end of their leases over 2013/14, which will see the airline facing return costs, buying the aircraft could well prove to be much better value for money for the public purse. Because CIG is squeezed when it comes to borrowing, the minister said that he had sought advice from the UK’s economic advisor, who has agreed to help the national flag carrier and will arrive in Cayman next week. Read more and comment on CNS Business
Where loyalties lie
When Margaret Thatcher, the ‘Iron Lady’ who led Britain as prime minister for more a decade, was ousted from power, she felt betrayed by the Tory party which forced her resignation and she left Downing Street in tears. And yet, she went on to serve two more years on the backbench of the House of Commons before retiring from the lower house of parliament in 1992.
Because whatever anyone might think of Thatcher and her politics, her loyalty to her party and to her country was never in doubt. She stepped down because the Conservative Party did not believe that they could win the election with her as leader, and in the UK, as in all established democracies, people vote for the party that they believe will lead the country as a whole to greater prosperity and social cohesion.
Thatcher wasn’t happy but ultimately she put party and country first. Now compare that to McKeeva Bush, who has given his party far greater reason for his removal from the leadership role but is having what can only be described as a hissy fit over it. Desperately trying to retain a stranglehold on political power at the expense of the party is not patriotism, certainly not party loyalty, nor is it putting the people before self, which are all traits that we expect in any true leader.
Anyone who thinks that Bush should have remained in office does not care or just does not understand that the police investigations into his suspected financial irregularities, even before the drama of his arrest, were dragging the Cayman Islands down and the ‘Post-UDP 5’ made the right decision for the country. (See this viewpoint.)
The word “traitors” keeps popping up in the comments to refer to those UDP members who finally mustered the courage to force Bush out of power, but the context isalways traitors to Bush, not traitors to Cayman. So where do the loyalties of Bush and his supporters lie? Certainly not with the party, because party politics – the real kind – does not depend on any one individual; it is an allegiance to a certain set of values and ideas. Blind support for one man (or one woman) is no more or less than a personality cult, which is a destructive force in any society.
Here in the Cayman Islands party politics is still in its infancy and, to be fair, neither party has really been clear about any cohesive social, political or economic philosophy that ties its members together and enables its supporters to feel that they have some idea as to how the party will react to future unpredictable events. In fact, it’s hard to discern exactly where on the political spectrum any politician in Cayman actually hangs his or her hat, once you get past the catch phrases and platitudes.
Without a clear political ideology that holds the politicians together there is no ideology for voters to support, and all too often it boils down to family or other ties, blind trust, a new fridge, favours to be returned, or which candidate will get the most money to spend on their district.
The PPM does at least function as a proper party. Kurt Tibbetts stepped down as leader after losing the 2009 election, which one would expect, and the next leader, Alden McLaughlin, was elected by the party members. Honesty and integrity are moral rather than political ideals and establishing openness and transparency are methods of governing, not economics, but if these are the chords that bind, it’s a good start. However, they need to establish what their party is – ‘not McKeeva’ is not good enough.
On the other hand, the UDP, the first and the second version, never did seem like a party so much as a vehicle for Bush to be the leader of the country and it appeared, from the outside as least, that those who joined him did so purely to either get elected or gain a cabinet position (or both). The shattering of the UDP over the ousting of McKeeva Bush supports this idea that the party was always just a means to an end for the ambitions of its politicians. If this is so, where do their loyalties lie?
Discounting for a minute the rampant speculation that personal gain is an essential motive, it seems that the main players of the now polarized UDP owed their allegiance either to Bush, who carried them into office by sheer force of personality, or to the districts that elected them.
A glaring example of district loyalty over country is the Hurricane Hilton on Cayman Brac. A party with an holistic view of the country (which decided it could afford a hurricane shelter) would ask the basic question as to which district was in most need of a shelter. The leader of the country and the rest of Cabinet (including the deputy premier) should want to protect as many of its citizens as possible in the event of natural disaster and place a new shelter where it has the potential to save most lives, and I don’t think anyone would argue that this was the Brac.
Juliana O’Connor Connolly was always the odd one out in the new UDP in that she never did need McKeeva Bush to get re-elected, but (and this is an important 'but') she does need to be a part of whatever political grouping is in power to have a place in Cabinet.
However, the way she has influenced the allocation of funds during the Bush administration – diverting resources, with questionable legality, from Grand Cayman to pave the roads on Cayman Brac, for example – indicates that her mindset is still district politics, not country or party politics: get what you can for ‘your people’ and to hell with the rules.
Many Brackers don’t have a problem with that, just as many West Bayersfeel entitled to Mac’s largesse. But, just like West Bay, the funds and favours have not resulted in any real lasting improvementin the economy. Those lovely paved car parks didn’t create any new customers for the merchants, and the prices at the shops, the dwindling pay-packets and rising costs for small businesses (which is all of them on the Brac) are enough to make you weep.
It remains to be seen if the ‘Post-UDP 5’ will form a proper party and if they have enough political maturity (not granny wits) to move away from Bush-style politics, an unhealthy mutual dependency between politician and voters, in which love of country – called upon often but practiced rarely – takes a back seat to benefit the few, where secret deals are negotiated behind secret doors, due process is optional and dissent must be stifled.
The ‘Post-UDP 5’ have loyally stood behind Bush in the past, even as he attacked his enemies and vilified the media – or even taken potshots themselves. I wonder, now that they are on the receiving end of his wrath, whether they finally understand that personality-cult politics, which they nurtured, creates an unhealthy atmosphere for society at large. You might enjoy the feeling of power at the time but it brings with it extremes of emotions in the people you govern that will not benefit you or the country in the end.
Neither Juliana nor Alden McLaughlin has the right personality to create a personality cult. This is a good thing. I remain hopeful that enough voters have been horrified by the chaos created by McKeeva Bush’s government that in the next election, if he stands, he will be relegated to an echo chamber of dwindling supporters.
Then, if the two remaining parties – PPM and whatever the ‘Post-UDP 5’ become – are able to set out and explain to the public what it is they stand for, the rest of the country could have an election that is about ideas, not who is loyal/dependent on whom, and a debate on policies rather than puerile insults.
One can always hope.
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.
Bush bailed, no charges
(CNS): Updated — While the RCIPS has emphasised that investigations involving the Cayman Islands premier remain active, a spokesperson said that McKeeva Bush has been released on police bail following a number of interviews with Financial Crimes Unit officers today and yesterday. Police said Bush has been placed on police bail until early February 2013 to allow further investigations to take place both here in Cayman and abroad, in connection with the allegations made against him. They also confirm that a considerable amount of property, including computer equipment, was seized during searches yesterday. "The investigations involving Mr Bush are still very active and the RCIPS will be pursuing all lines of enquiry in consultation with the Legal Department," the RCIPS said.
Meanwhile, Suresh Prasad, who had been questioned by the RCIPS in connection with allegations of corruption relating to the dynamite probe, was also released Wednesday on police bail until February next year while enquiries continue.
Police did not state what, if any, bail conditions had been placed on either the premier or Prasad at the time of their release from custody.
Despite, his release sometime on Wednesday afternoon and the news that the premier will face no more questions from the police until next year, there was no comment from him, the government in general or the UDP on his position. Cabinet, which was cancelled on Tuesday to allow the UDP party to meet, was convened today in the absence of the premier.
Michael Misick arrested
(CNS): International fugitive and former premier of the Turks and Caicos’ Islands (TCI), Michael Misick, was arrested this morning (Friday 7 December) at the Santos Dumond airport in Rio de Janeiro by the Brazilian Federal Police. The TCI Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) confirmed that he was arrested as result of an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol and a further warrant issued by Brazilian Supreme Court. Misick faces a number of serious charges relating to corruption and maladministration in TCI, a British Overseas Territory. His arrest was sought in relation to an ongoing investigation by the SIPT into issues arising from Sir Robin Auld’s 2008-09 Commission of Inquiry relating to alleged corruption and maladministration.
In a release issued by the TCI Governor’s Office, the UK authorities said they were grateful to their Brazilian counterparts for their cooperation are now seeking Misick’s extradition to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
As the former premier was born in a British Overseas Territory he is receiving British consular assistance, the release stated, but added that no other comment or details would be given at this time.
In March this year Misick issued a statement saying that he had applied for political asylum from “another country”. Although it was not known where he was at the time or which country he had sought political asylum from, he claimed that he could not expect to get a fair hearing in his native country. Misick said he was being politically persecuted because of his plan to move the country towards independence and accused the UK interim government of changing laws in an attempt to convict him and his political colleagues and supporters.
At the time Misick described the investigation as a “set-up for a modern-day John Crow political lynching”, and said he would not be a part of it. “I have therefore sought protection from another country in accordance with the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and the human rights laws of that country, as it is my right to do and the right of any person that is being politically persecuted,” he stated. “I am not a fugitive, and will never be a fugitive. I have applied for political asylum from another country and I am merely seeking protection from political persecution.”
The UK suspended the TCI constitution in the wake of the Commission of Inquiry and imposed direct rule for three years. However, despite the investigations into alleged corruption by Misick and others in the Progressive National Party, of which he was leader, the PNP returned to power in the first elections following the restoration of the TCI constitution and democracy. PNP Leader Dr Rufus Ewing was sworn in as the new premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands on 13 November.
‘Son of FATCA’ to be discussed in London
(CNS Business): Although it was only revealed to the public last week, discussions between the Cayman Islands and the UK government on Britain’s plans to impose its own version of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) on its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories began in July this year, Cayman’s finance ministry said. The leaking of the draft document on the enforced open exchange agreement last week came ahead the annual meeting in London of the leaders of the British Overseas Territories with the UK, which begins Monday, and a ministry spokesperson said it was “highly likely that it will be discussed in London sometime next week”. Read more on CNS Business
Lord Blencathra threatens legal action
(CNS): Following the publication by the UK’s House of Lords Sub-Committee on Conduct of the official report dismissing complaints against the director of the Cayman Islands London Office, Lord Blencathra, the Tory peer who is paid to promote the interests of Cayman in the UK and Europe, issued a statement to Cayman News Service saying that he was seeking legal advice on whether to take action against those in the UK who initiated the “libel” that provoked the complaint and any news outlets overseas who repeated it. Meanwhile, there has been no statement from the London Office concerning the revelations that the UK is planning to impose drastic tax information sharing rules on its dependencies, including Cayman.
In his report, the Commissioner for Standards Paul Kernaghan cleared Blencathra of breaching the House of Lords Code of Conduct. Citing a report of the Sub-Committee on Lords' Interests (as it then was), he stated: “The distinction between advocacy and advice is crucial. Inevitably, however, there are borderline issues. These may place too great a burden on the judgment of the individual Member and may lead him to cross the boundary between what is legitimate and what is not.
"Members willing to take money in return for parliamentary services place themselves in great danger of crossing the boundary, knowingly or inadvertently. Even when a Member's intention is limited to obtaining information, the very fact of approaching, on behalf of paying clients, MPs, other Lords, Ministers and civil servants, may give rise to a perception of advocacy and lobbying. The impression can easily be given that not only advice but also advocacy has been bought by the client. Whether or not a Member has indeed crossed the boundary from the permissible depends on the facts of each case."
The complainant in the case was made by Labour MP Paul Flynn, who wrote to the commissioner requesting that he investigate Lord Blencathra on the basis of an article in The Independent on 17 April 2012.
The complainant alleged that Lord Blencathra provided parliamentary services to the government of the Cayman Islands Office in the United Kingdom. The complainant specified five instances where it is alleged that occurred, and provided a transcript of a press conference given by Lord Blencathra on Cayman27 in which he spoke about his role.
The Commissioner found Lord Blencathra not to have breached the Code of Conduct, finding that the instances complained of did not amount to the provision of parliamentary advice or services.
In his statement addressed specifically to CNS, Lord Blencathra said, “This was always a bogus complaint fabricated by the discredited Bureau of Investigative Journalism. That is an organization funded by Labour Party supporters. Its ethos is anti-Conservative, anti-Lords, anti-IFCs and anti-Thatcher. The journalist and the Independent explicitly made those links in the article in order to discredit me as well as making the highly libelous allegation that my expenses were subject to special scrutiny which is a lie.”
“Now that the Commissioner has exonerated me I have consulted the lawyers acting for Lord McAlpine [a Tory peer who was wrongfully identified in a BBC documentary as a paedophile] who is also taking action against the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Depending on the legal advice, it is my intention to take action against those in the UK who initiated the libel and any news outlets overseas who repeated that libel.”
Neither the Bureau of Investigative Journalism nor The Independent have received any correspondence from Lord Blencathra on his intentions regarding possible legal action.
Lord Blencathra was appointed director of the London Officer a year ago and it has since been revealed through an FOI request that he and his consultancy company, Two Lions, are costing the public purse more than CI$19,500 per month. Redacted correspondence between Blencathra and Cayman civil servants implies that his appointment was timed to ensure that he could attend the London meeting the premier had with the OT minister at the time, Henry Bellingham, in November 2011, during which McKeeva Bush signed the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility agreement, which the premier now says he did under duress.
The details of Blencathra’s contract, revealed through the freedom of information request, shows that government felt in the “changing global financial circumstances” that the London office needed to expand its traditional goals to include strengthening the relationship between the Cayman government and the FCO, as well as other UK and European organisations, and actively promote Cayman in the business communities there. The contract also points to the need for someone to help identify opportunities for development and inward investment to diversify the Cayman economy and expand the islands’ revenue base.
The contract states that Lord Blencathra and his firm, Two Lions Consultancy, had been identified as having the experience and skills to undertake the proposed expansion of the London Office, working alongside the deputy director, Charles Parchment, who would continue to take on the more traditional duties of the London office. According to the Department of Commerce and Investment, the London Office, not counting the Department of Tourism side, has three staff members, and its budget for 2011/12 totalled CI$817, 763.
According to a release issued at the time of his appointment, Lord Blencathra’s immediate agenda included developing a more comprehensive understanding with the FCO and other governmental organizations in the UK of the financial management of the Cayman Islands, its economy and its day to day operations.
Tasked with promoting the Cayman Islands' interests in the UK and Europe, officials said after his appointment that he would be liaising with and promoting the interests of the Cayman Islands at last year’s Overseas Territories Consultative Council. In particular, the peer would be assisting the CIG in developing the new accord for the Overseas Territories with the UK government.
Now that it has been revealed that the UK may impose “Son of FATCA” rules on its OTs and Crown Dependencies, CNS has asked Lord Blencathra via email what action has been, or is being, taken by him, the London Office or Two Lions in response to this news, and also what effect this will have on the offshore financial services industry and, in particular, the Cayman Islands.
We also asked: “Given this latest development, can you say if the Cayman Islands London Office has been in any way effective in changing the narrative in Europe or the UK concerning the negativity towards the Cayman Islands since you were appointed as director? If so, can you specify what you have achieved?”
But although we received earlier that day the statement concerning his personal issues, there has so far been no response to our enquiries concerning these latest moves by the UK.
See Standards Commissioner's full report
Related articles:
‘Son of FATCA’ talks in UK (CNS Business 30 November 2012)
UK commissioner clears Lord (CNS 7 October 2012)
UK Lord costs £14k+ pcm (22 June 2012)
Lord gets top UK Cayman job (CNS 14 November 2011)
David Maclean: expense claims of MP who led fight to keep payouts secret (The Telegraph 17 May 2009)
New Chamber boss demands equity for members
(CNS Business): The new president of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce has called on government to ensure proper practices are followed in procurement procedures. Chris Duggan, who assumed his post at the annual general meeting last week, said he was not prepared to accept deviation from good governance and vowed to ensure that Chamber members were given a fair and equal opportunity to bid on all major government projects. He told members that, since they create the islands’ jobs, they should benefit from public sector developments. He also said that government must follow the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility and offered the Chamber’s support for getting public finances back on track. Read more on CNS Business