Bush agrees to ‘temporary’ leave

| 26/02/2020 | 174 Comments
Cayman News Service
Speaker McKeeva Bush in the Legislative Assembly

(CNS): Speaker McKeeva Bush is expected to formally announce that he is taking a leave of absence from his job presiding over the Legislative Assembly in the wake of allegations of assault against him last weekend. Bush has not yet released a statement but CNS has learned he is planning to “take an immediate leave of absence” in his role as speaker of the LA to take the grief counselling and emotional stress management that he spoke about in the statement he released Monday.

However, Bush is expected to retain his West Bay West constituency seat as he goes about dealing with his now admitted alcohol and mental health issues.

There is no indication how long Bush is expected to be out of the speaker’s seat, but with the ongoing police investigation into the assault and enormous public pressure, it appears Bush had few options.

It is not yet clear who will replace McKeeva Bush as speaker, though Bernie Bush is currently deputy speaker.

Check back to CNS for more on this story later.


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Category: Politics

Comments (174)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I assume that ‘leave of absence’ means he is still getting paid.
    So, not only does he get away with beating up a woman but he also gets paid for not working.
    Win Win!!

  2. Anonymous says:

    So he self-diagnosed himslef and set his own prescription….can only presume mckeeva will tell us when he’s better too! SHOCKING that the government is ok with that….I should try the same at my workplace

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  3. Anonymous says:

    How many MLA’s do you think read these comments? It would be interesting to know. I just hope they are so they are aware of how much the “Rascals” loathe and disrespect them with the exception of Ezzard and Bernie.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    In the motherland an MP had to resign over calling a policeman a “plep” few years ago, the difference in the ethic standards of our MLA’s is staggering.

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    • Anonymous says:

      We also adhere to decisions of the judiciary and don’t try to tell them they are over extending their reach into legislative matters. How insulting can you be to your people and the entire legal system?

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      • Anonymous says:

        It’s got nothing to do with the judiciary. There are standards to uphold and Mac has fallen a very long way short of them whether he is charged and convicted or not. He’s the speaker of the house and beat up a woman for goodness sake! Then he sent out a pile of “poor me” nonsense and used his dead daughter to try and avoid the consequences of his actions. I can’t understand how there is even a debate. He’s a reptile. Of course he has to go.

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    • Anonymous says:

      U.K. Folks and make and are the dirtiest I have ewa seen

  5. anonymoose says:

    he will not want to be away too long as he will need to get organised to purchase loads of kitchen appliances before next election……..next bobo will not do that!!!

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  6. Anonymous says:

    I think it’s a sad reality that absolutely nothing will come of this. He’ll live to fight another day (pun intended)

    He’ll wait for it to blow over, resume his position and continue to remain drunk on power and rum.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    This is for the Premier, Sir you have no option, you cannot merely accept a temporary leave of absence from the Speaker and bring him back as if nothing happened. He has to resign from this position as soon as possible. This is not a quick fix – whether or not he is mentally unstabled or cannot control his alcoholic intake is irrelevant. What he did is forgiveable but not forgettable. We the public and the members of the public cannot and will not accept his leadership and abide by what could be his arbitrary rules and directions in the LA. He has brought our homeland into disgrace and we the public cannot and will not abide by this. I do realise that you might be mindful to bring him back to shore up your administration but this is incomprehensible. I realise that to go out like this after so many years of being an elected official is not a good way to go but you have to bear in mind that what he did is unacceptable and you cannot expect us to accept his bad behavior any longer. He brought this on himself and is not the first time that he has done something like this. It is now way past time for you to act as our Premier and do the right thing. Mr. Bush must not come back as Speaker. The Cayman Islands deserve better. All you have to do is appoint someone from the outside with sufficient knowledge of parliamentary laws and rules to manage the legislature to enable you to hold your majority together because I know that is your biggest concern right now. I can name three or four persons who could do this and perform much better and with much more decorum than Mr. Bush did on his best day. Mr. Premier this is not difficult, please show us some respect, respect your position,your fellow legislators and our Beloved Cayman Islands and do the right thing. I look forward to your next statement – ” that the Speaker has resigned, Bless you!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry why does he get to resign? Anyone else would be fired, arrested and prosecuted.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Asking for his resignation is the quickest way to get him out. Arrest and prosecution can follow.

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      • Anonymous says:

        There will be no arrest and prosecution. As far as the public is aware he didn’t go to a doctor, at least he didn’t say whether or not he did, the police probably was not called to the bar- he was probably scurried out of there in a split second- his alibi is that he has alcoholism and mental issues and blacked out! He words against ours unless someone speaks up and tell the police differently. Probably won’t happen. The Premier could bring a motion of no confidence and back it up with the Constitution Rules and the Legislators can vote yea, or nay- or he can ask him/tell him to step down permanently!! Take your pick!.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Exactly. He should’ve been arrested pending investigation and fired while he is in jail awaiting trial.

        We don’t need him back in the LA.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Has he been arrested yet?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Seems not. Ineptitude, corruption, incompetence,…? Anyone know any valid reason why not?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, twice. Once in Florida for sexual assault (charges dropped) and once for using his government credit card to gamble in a casino (found not guilty).

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  9. Anonymous says:

    So Bush admits assaulting an innocent woman and he gets rewarded with an indefinite paid vacation and still receives his Speaker salary of about CI$17,000 per month…

    And this paid vacation for assault was all approved by ALL of the Cabinet members: Alden, Moses, Tara, Julianna, Roy, Dwayne and Joey.

    Seems ALL of them condone Bush’s admitted violence against an innocent woman.

    Has anyone heard how Capt. Whogene feels about Bush’s assault on the lady?

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Getting into Cayman politics allows you commit crime with impunity… this is what I gather from the Government’s response to this.

    License to commit crime…

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  11. Anonymous says:

    No one is actually buying this BS are they? Macs problems started way before he lost his daughter.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Oh come on. This isn’t a punishment, it’s a very well paid permanent vacation. No doubt he will continue to receive a generous salary and all the associated benefits while doing no work. Looks more like a reward to me. He must be laughing at all of us as he and his cronies all take advantage of us again and again and again.

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  13. Blacklisted says:

    Nice, paid vacation as a reward for domestic abuse.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    We should expect at first bail case review (assuming future arrest and charges), Bush’s attorney will point to a clean conviction record, first offense, admission of guilt, public apology letter, enrollment in some kind of rehabilitative theatre, and probably letters of support from “clergy”. This may be enough kabuki in Cayman’s flawed judicial system to reduce any eventual sentence below the threshold for continuation of eligibility in the LA, and retention of pension, title, and Queens Honours. Once again, he is already well into his defensive posturing before prosecutors have realized what they need to have done already. How much of that delay can be chalked-up to professional ineptitude or corruption is open to debate, but it’s not good for the victim or society at large.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    If the press hadn’t caused such an uproar and prevented him from getting his PhD, he could have treated himself and none of this would have happened.

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  16. JTB says:

    Just wondering whether, during this ‘leave of absence’ he will forego the Speaker’s salary?

    Thought not.

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  17. anonymous says:

    A leave of absence – you have to be kidding. get shot of him – he is 65 – retire him but get on with it. This is too little and far too late. No need to keep him at all.

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Recovery from Alcoholism and Mental Health issues is an ongoing Journey. It is not a thing to be taken lightly. If Mac is truly serious about his recovery he will need long term treatment, to be able to cope with his everyday life. Being in a position of Speaker of the House is a stressful job and I would hope that his Therapist would suggest strongly that he resign completely, in order to focus on recovering fully from his illness. Lets see if he is Genuine about his recovery or just spitting out bull to the people again. It’s easy to admit you have a problem but it can can be difficult to accept that you need help to bet better. To get better Mac you will need to RESIGN. You have a lot of work to do.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Do they provide mental health and alcoholism treatments in prisons?

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    • Anonymous says:

      These are just excuses …he needs treatment for being a serieal woman abuser and that treatments should start with incarceration.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    NOT GOOD ENOUGH! The man needs to be REMOVED. PERMANENTLY! End of!

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    • Anonymous says:

      He needs to be arrested and formally charged with assault. Ordinarily, that should have transpired first thing on Saturday morning. Justice impairment and corrupt complicity are real problems as well. We have many entrenched problems that aren’t imaginary that we need to call out. Many of them don’t resolve with a simple reshuffling of LA every four years.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I think they have CCTV at the bar – if so, I hoped the RCIPS secured the video evidence!

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Cayman is “woke” Alden and won’t accept this slap on the wrist. He has gotten away with too many crimes and this is it BoBo he needs to go forever. You all need to go but we will start with the woman beater, gambler, alcoholic, idiot first. And while I am here has anyone seen or heard from Martin Roper? He still here? Ca we get rid of his useless ass too?

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    • Anonymous says:

      You don’t get out much do you? The Governor issued a strong statement on the matter, which is strange given that his role is not really local politics. Remember you guys wanted local rule and got it, so any error in choosing local politicians is yours alone and nothing to do with the Governor. It is not his job to choose your politicians for you so what is your point? Just trying to blame others for your own stupidity?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Wait, what, we have a governor? What does he do?

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Remember he warned Martyn Roper that “cockroach has no business in a rooster fight”?

    The roles could be reversed this time.

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    • Anonymous says:

      he should have been sacked for that ignorant and rude (caymankind?) comment alone.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Do not mix Caymankind into this. For your information that is an old and well known regional Caribbean comment that is not limited to these islands.

        BTW “sacked” is a colonial word.

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  22. Anonymous says:

    What does he have on the others that he can dictate to the premier how the government deals with this situation – must be pretty serious…………

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  23. Anonymous says:

    If we are to believe him, his therapy sessions must be live streamed for us all to see.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    Lol i bet he is pissed off that he got to step down!

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  25. Al Catraz says:

    What counseling does his victim get?

    You do remember that there is a victim, yes? And the victim is not McKeeva.

    To hear him tell it, you’d swear it was him, though.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    Look bobo his mental problems were obvious
    when he said we should have a 50 story tower
    when he started wearing a white wig
    when he sold dart all our beach land
    when he backed the cruise port development
    when he attacked CPR
    when he attacked Bernie Bush
    when he thought he was invisible as part owner of that pop up alcohol bar
    when he joined forces with Aldart and Moses – he had to be totally wacko
    Now, the only issue with him saying he is mental is how would he know he is mental if he is mental? Lots of persons I know are completely mental and they definitely don’t know they are. When he wrote that recent piece of bs blaming anyone but himself proves he has no mental problems at all. That was written by a very clever person who definitey shows no signs of being mental. Anyone who gives this a thumbs down is definitely mental.

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  27. Anonymous says:

    Where is the petition? We could have a referendum isn’t this the new way of decision making?

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  28. Anonymous says:

    The consitution, specifically Section 65 says nothign about the Speaker taking a leave of absence. In fact, the only circumstances where the speaker can vacate his post is to either 1. Resign,
    2. any circumstances which would cause him to vacate his seat,
    3. If he became party to a contract with the Govenment through a business interest,
    4. If he became a minister,
    5. By a vote to remove him by 2/3 of the LA.

    If the Speaker took a Leave of absence that would meet the requirements of 2. and the Constitution then requires that the house vote in a new Speaker.

    If Alden and company pursue this “leave of absence” they are breeching the Constitution.

    I suspect they are trying to find a way to keep Mac on the Speaker pay and benefits package.

    If these guys had any decency they would vote to remove him, and not seek to abuse the Constution in this way.

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