Twelve weeks in, no answers in Choudhury probe
Governor Anwar Choudhury (right) with Chief-of-Staff Matthew Forbes
(CNS): Officials from the UK remained silent this week as the investigation into allegations made against Governor Anwar Choudhury by office and household staff rolled into the third month. Twelve weeks into the probe, Matthew Forbes, who heads the governor’s office, said that he had no further updates on the inquiry, despite earlier direction from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the investigation was expected to last up to six weeks. Choudhury was suspended from his job and recalled to London around 12 June and no one has made any official comment about the status of the inquiry since the revelation that complaints had been filed by the employees.
Following the death of Choudhury’s mother in July, officials confirmed this had delayed the process but no new timeline was given as to when the issue would be resolved.
Since his removal after just a few months in office, speculation about the allegations have filled the void created by the FCO’s silence. While CNS understands that the accusations relate to bullying, rumours have persisted that the move was political because the governor had plans to shake up the civil service and was taking his remit to ensure good governance seriously. The opposition has also raised concerns about the recall and questioned the basis of the allegations.
A petition was started to demand Choudhury’s reinstatement, while a second petition was started calling for Franz Manderson, the deputy governor who has been acting in the role as governor since Choudhury went back to London, to be given the job permanently. That is an online petition which currently has 794 names, while the petition to ‘Bring Back Choudhury’ had been limited to registered voters only. CNS recently requested the number of signatures and we are awaiting a response.
Category: Local News
Sorry, folks. He would expose too much corruption and back-office deals. He aint good for the islands. He would ruin my childrens chance from attending a rich US college and from me buying a nice rich house in the US. I dont want to even think how my nice house here in Cayman would be in jeopardy. We all have to think about what is best for our island. Think about the poos publicity it would give to richer nations that we rip off constantly. Nope, he aint gonna steal my suppa.
He did a Bexit EXIt! Will take time to fixit or forget it
Free up Anwar!!
Why?
Ron and anyone else with likewise thinking, please tell us what difference has it made in your life by the UK appointed Governor being absent from the island. I certainly haven’t noticed anything different in mine. Probably a good thing as we are saving on Government house entertainment and spending although I’m sure we are still paying his salary.
Silly, negative comment.
Any difference that Mr. Anwar would have made has been illegally snuffed out, so you cannot possibly know the benefits that he was obviously trying to bring to these islands. So in a way, you are right. Nothing has improved.
In the same breathe, there is also no way of knowing what potential negative impacts the Governor could have brought to these islands. This entire exercise clearly demonstrates how ill informed some residents are regarding the operations, regulations and organization structure of our own Government.
The Governor has always been appointed by the FCO, the removal of the Governor is also handling solely by the UK Government, so what in the hell are we really petitioning? Have we forgotten that the Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory? Furthermore, have we all forgotten Operation tempura an how that was handled? No formal answers an multi-million dollar balance paid for my every resident.
Pick and choose your battles wisely, there are far greatly national issues we must address versus worrying about.
I was initially hopeful that at the end of the stated 6 week period Mr Choudhury would be back, at this point it is safe to say that it is unlikely that Mr Choudhury will be returning
So much for good governance and transparency that the U.K. always talks about.
“Do as I say, not as I do.”
Idiot. The UK, unlike Cayman, has laws to protect the employee from unscrupulous employers who just dismiss workers for unfounded accusations. I know it’s difficult for some of you to understand that laws do exist and are enforced outside of Cayman. But it’s true and Choudhury is entitled to a confidential investigation and a fair hearing based on evidence and not public opinion.
This is ridiculous that an act like the removal of a Governor like Mr Choudhury , can go on without answers from no one . Whatever happened about that PETITION that was supposed to had been launched to bring back the Governor ? Why do the People sit down and allow the Government use something that is illegal ? According to the Constitution A PETITION to get certain things done , must be signed by legally registered voter of Cayman islands , not by visitors or anyone under the age of 18 years of age .
Do you Caymanian voters know that you have a voice ? You better start using it , because you’re being trampled all over by the Government . When you allow them to use something like that illegal PETITION that can be signed non registered voters and anyone under the legal voting age .
Who cares…the Islands are running quite fine.
11:59pm , you can’t even say like how some guy told a tourist sometime ago , when they asked for direction to the Turtle Farm , ever question they asked him , the answer was I don’t know , then the tourist said what do you really know , his reply was I know I am not lost , so you can’t even say that much .
They are running toward a cliff
Do you really think that a comment by CNS and the other rag the compass will really sway the UK foreign office.
They will arrive at a fit and proper decision when ready
Anonymous 8:47pm , speaking of the Compass , I don’t know who are they trying to help , they are trying to make you think that they are helping, but only helping the way they want to , nothing that would be against the brothers in the hood .
Yet they want you to give them ,your name , home address and or your business address , and email account just to publish a simple comment , which they read and edit before publishing . That’s why I am refusing to write a other comment there , I don’t have to let the world know where I live , or let them know my personal business .
lol, fit and proper…
This is as bad as Brexit, interminable dithering and no decision.