Speaker apologises but rejects culpability

| 24/02/2020 | 247 Comments
Cayman News Service
Speaker McKeeva Bush

(CNS): Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush has issued a full statement regarding Friday’s incident and issued an apology to the victim of the assault as well as the rest of the management team of the bar. Bush has said that he passed out and fell and was disorientated when he came to, and lashed out at those trying to help without realising where he was and what was happening. Bush also opens up about his own mental health struggles and hopes that his opening up about this will help others.

Category: Local News

Comments (247)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Read this article https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/explanatory-material/magistrates-court/item/aggravating-and-mitigating-factors/.

    Read the Statement from WMcB and tick the boxes as you go along.

    Someone earned a lot of money helping WMcB with the drafting and polishing of his admission of being the “real victim here”.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    Why was he not arrested on the night? RCIPS you need to answer that, and at worst, why he was not arrested on Saturday. Get a first account of what happened before he comes up with this crap.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Because that’s not how things work on Cayman, people with connections get time to sober up, sort themselves out and type up some half assed ramble of an apology that is more damage control in an attempt to win sympathy points rather than any sincere apology or public commitment to hold himself to a higher standard. They get the police making an active and transparent attempt to keep his identity private because of what position he holds. You think any member of the opposition would have been spared the public embarrassment of being dragged out of there in cuffs? Mckeeva would have probably been sitting in his chair in the LA leading the jeers at that MLA and laughing along.

      I doubt the police even figured out how drunk he was, so he will probably end up hiring some fancy lawyer, and offering that lady a pretty sum to make it all go away just like the Casino incident
      Then he will do exactly what he did after the altercation in 2017, lay low for a couple of months, go to church and put on his reformed face and then after people have calmed down he’ll go back to boozing on the weekends and preaching down to people on facebook and in the LA and on the radio as if he is some saint
      The man XXXX deserves to be stripped of all public office

      Nothing but a national embarrassment for decades and for some reason West Bay keeps sending him back
      Even most members of the CDP want nothing to do with him now

      He is toxic, his effect on local politics is toxic and as bad as Alden is he ought to be ashamed that he is the one now enabling this sort of man to hold public office especially the high office of Speaker of the House
      I remember it wasn’t too far back that it was the PPM running with ads saying stuff like “Cayman not Embarrassed, No Premier arrested” and how quickly they pivoted when they needed his members to prop up their government
      The damage he has done to our legislature’s reputation by donning that wig and placing his oversized gut in that seat is immeasurable

      As stuffy and elitist as it sounds William Mckeeva Bush is living proof that no matter how high you go and how much you make, you can’t buy class or dignity
      and as the saying goes, ‘the higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his ass’

      I’m not a resident of West Bay, but come 2021 I am seriously considering volunteering to assist anyone who can mount an effective Campaign against Mckeeva, he needs to find something else to do with his time because representing people just isn’t for him

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Never been in any issues with the law but I can’t wait for the RCIPS to try to arrest me one day to whip out my get out of jail free card:

    “What about my dead grandmother”

    Mckeeva Bush has absolutely NO shame
    Everyone knows how he acts when he goes out, its only a matter of time before he seriously hurts someone

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Maybe it was the grapefruit juice mixed with a guiness and belly flush medication that caused him to fall and black out, like the other UDP guy from BT

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Errington Webster also had memory lapses from grapefruit juice. The same person is advising to Mr.Bush?

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  6. Anonymous says:

    This is probably the most shameful statement I have ever read. First he blames it on his daughters death. I am sure she would be proud of him going around beating women. Then it’s because she attacked him, I was going to say you can’t make this up but apparently you can. I am embarrassed and humiliated that this person is a government official and as so people feel that he reflects the morals of Cayman. Resign now.

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  7. Resign Now says:

    We demand and expect his resignation immediately!
    No excuses or explanations.
    If it were not for the fact the civil servants may not voice political opinions I would gladly sign my name. Resign McKeeva – be a man and take responsibility for your actions. If you are proven innocent you can be reestablished to your position as Speaker of the House.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Mac didn’t write this…the english, grammar and spelling were perfect.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    This “apology” in worse then you would expect from 3rd world politicians in Africa.
    Now that is saying something.

    Poor excuse, Poor apology, shame on you.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Bush:

    You seem like a God fearing man.

    I see the cross you wear around your neck.

    So you should know that your judgement day will come.

    How dare you? Not only did you assault a woman while you were off your rocker drunk but now you have the outright gall to lay the blame on grief.

    You are not a man.

    You are not worthy of being a public figure in the Cayman Islands.

    You are an out of control, raging, belligerent, deceitful, selfish, MANIACAL alcoholic.

    Stop placing the blame to others and get yourself help before you do something to someone you cannot undo with dosh.

    Consider this your intervention.

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  11. JTB says:

    Everyone knows this is bullshit from start to finish.

    The question is though, will his colleagues in the LA finally call time on this dreadful man, or will they close ranks, maintain their silence, and continue to enable him as they have so egregiously done for decades.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Where is the statement from the government? Where is the statement from the Leader of the Opposition?

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Blah!! Blah! Blah!!!! Apology NOT accepted.Excuses!!!! Excuses!!! EXCUSES!!!!

    YOU are only sorry because you got caught!!

    Simple as that!! What an example you set for anyone – young, middle-age or old. NONE!!!

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  14. Concerned Diver says:

    Time to do something about it. Write to your MLA. Don’t wait. Keep the pressure up. Keep it real! GET HIM OUT.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    And once I got a Yogi the Bear doll for christmas but specifically told my mom I wanted Huckleberry Hound……HUCKLEBERRY HOUND MOM…NOT STUPID YOGI OR F….G BOO BOO….HUCKLEBERRY HOUND!

  16. Anonymous says:

    Self-induced intoxication is not a defence in law.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Off to the Northward Pines with his senile butt!

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Any one of (a) mental disorder, and/or (b) substance abuse problem, ought to be sufficient cause to disqualify from public service, let alone Speaker of the House.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    His driver should be forced to give a statement as to where he had been and what he had been doing all day

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  20. Anonymous says:

    He’s much better at the ranting attack he used for other accusations. Claims it’s a witch hunt and yell for 2 hours until everyone gives up. He is terrible at trying to get sympathy.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    I believe Cayman Marl Road version of this story- How can grief make you act in this manner-

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  22. Zulu says:

    That lying bastard was drinking there from 4 o’clock on and then went to peppers do drink some more ……
    Where is the rest of your elected friends trying to help you whitewash this ….shame on all of those who are silent

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    • Anonymous says:

      He didn’t say how long he spent “picking up food to take home”. Technically if you start drinking at midday and get a ala-kebab on the way home at 3am you could say you were technically out getting food.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Is ala-kebab food? It’s what people where I come from in the UK grab after a very heavy night’s drinking to stop from throwing up.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Mental health issues are serious. Under the circumstances if that is what he is suffering from and/or the excuse he is relying on to justify his terrible behaviour should be deemed unfit for office and removed

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    • Anonymous says:

      It’s just a cocking bull storey, so he won’t have to pay or learn from his deeds. People have to stop voting for women beaters period

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    • Anonymous says:

      He hasn’t got mental health issues other than being a jackass. He’s just trying to slime his way out responsibility….again….

  24. Anonymous says:

    Perhaps if the police had taken him in and tested him before he had time to come up with his mumbo – jumbo this episode would have had a different outcome. I wonder if anyone at the bar has any proof of the number of drinks he had – does the bar maid know how many drinks he had? Otherwise I doubt that anyone can really contradict his story!, looks like he is getting away again!

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  25. Anonymous says:

    No surprises there then: file this worthless nonsense under C for “characteristic dishonesty”.

    He was drunk. I saw him.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    The manageress needs to be paid compensation, and lots. She is afraid to say anything…you see how bullies get a way with it?

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  27. Anonymous says:

    Where are the other elected members of the Legislative Assembly including the Premier and Cabinet?

    This behaviour cannot go unpunished. He MUST be replaced as Speaker!

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    • Anonymous says:

      The Premier must be glad he is off island.

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    • Anonymous says:

      He also must be prosecuted. Just how corrupt are we?

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      • Anonymous says:

        It seems Legge wasn’t right after all. It’s far worse – the police will actively avoid investigation of a connected person who publicly commits acts of violence. What have we come too? Sad.

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  28. Anonymous says:

    Yes, the totally normal thing that men in their 60s do, just a regular Friday night you know taking your chauffeur and government issued car out at 12am to “collect food to take home” (despite witnesses claiming he was at the establishment for an extended period and was there drinking, why even bother lying about that, everyone on Cayman knows how much Mckeeva loves to drink and go on like he’s in his 20s)
    The man can’t even admit he was out boozing, yet he wants people to think this is a genuine apology AND don’t even get me started on bringing up losing family as a reason for passing out then attacking someone
    Every person on Cayman has lost family members, to disease, accident or old age, grief takes many forms, but I have yet to hear about the multi -year delayed effect that includes passing out then attacking people who try to help you up (despite his statement saying “a few years ago” the family member he is speaking of passed in 2011, almost 10 years ago… )

    This reeks from top to bottom, the police changing press releases, the lack of an arrest or even detainment (did they even ascertain whether or not he was sober???) Even If this really was some medical episode or stress induced event which I highly doubt why would they have not called an ambulance and escorted him to the hospital to get checked out?
    It doesn’t add up to anyone who takes more than a surface level glance

    All I could think of reading this is back when Errington Webster tried a very similar type of excuse saying he was unaware of what he was doing because he had drank grapefruit juice and taken medication and passed out or was in a stupor. This sort of thing is exactly what manipulators pull out of their hats as a last ditch attempt to not be held culpable for their actions

    https://caymannewsservice.com/2017/06/webster-has-no-memory-of-videoed-indecent-act/

    This statement is a masterclass in manipulation and anyone who takes it at face value has decided women in our society are of no value, that men in prominent positions or affluent background can live by their own rules. He is pulling out all the stops for this one, because he knows if people turn on him now it will be the end of his career

    Lets be clear here,He got drunk, fell over then started attacking someone in public full stop

    I hope the media won’t let this go, even if the woman in question doesn’t pursue formal charges, people are responsible for what they do when they are intoxicated we all know that is true, drunk driving is universally accepted as a very serious offense, along with other offenses to public order
    There need to be consequences

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    • Anonymous says:

      Well you know he had anaesthia once…so there’s that.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yeah, why didn’t someone call the ambulance? If he just blacked out it could have been low blood sugar, low blood pressure and he could have been in deep problems. I really hope he did not invoke his departed mother and daughter in such a disastrous lie. If so how despicable can he sink.

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  29. Anonymous says:

    Just go Mac, just go. You are an embarrassment to yourself and Cayman. If you have issues, quietly resign to allow you to go deal with them out of the spotlight. How many more times will we see headlines like this before you finally realise?

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  30. Get him OUT! says:

    Caymanians this is our opportunity to get this dinosaur out of this country’s leadership structure forever. We need to grasp this moment and demand that MAC be removed from public office. This is Cayman’s #metoo moment. Force this POS out of office once and for all!!

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  31. Anonymous says:

    Yes; I will never forget the day he tragically lost his daughter. The whole island was in total shock. I know that he did not take time to mourn her passing. He must be still suffering from the loss. Very sad all around. Hopefully now he will get the professional help that he needs and be a better man in the long term.

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    • Anonymous says:

      That was in 2011, almost 10 years ago, what relevance does that have on him going out drinking on a Friday night? Don’t fall for this manipulator’s excuses
      He will say anything to create public sympathies and get people to think he was helpless

      He is almost 65 years old, death is a part of life, his loss is unfortunate but not an excuse for his actions
      at his age loss is just about the only thing constant in life, whether that be a lost youth, family or lost opportunities or freedoms

      Whenever i end up in legal trouble I’ll be sure to cite my deceased grandmother and claim to have been out of control of my faculties

      Ghastly man, can’t take a shred of responsibilities for his actions

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    • Anonymous says:

      Right. Very unfortunate. But absolutely nothing to do with getting hammered and beating up a bar manager. I myself have had bad things happen and have not found myself drunkenly subjecting an innocent woman to a violent attack in front of tourists and members of the public. I know many people who have lost loved ones and they hardly ever decide to get drunk and beat the hell out of random women who are trying to do their job.

      He said so himself- it’s not intended as an excuse. Must just be a coincidence that he happened to bring it up in his apology (along with his close personal relationship with his pastor, and his surgeries, and anything else that might get him some sympathy).

      What I am confused about though is, if he was so disoriented he didn’t know where he was, why was he shouting at her that she was an incompetent bar manager?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Lol! West Bayer

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    • Anonymous says:

      That was in 2011, almost 10 years ago, what relevance does that have on him going out drinking on a Friday night? Don’t fall for this manipulator’s excuses
      He will say anything to create public sympathies and get people to think he was helpless

      He is almost 65 years old, death is a part of life, his loss is unfortunate but not an excuse for his actions
      at his age loss is just about the only thing constant in life, whether that be a lost youth, family or lost opportunities or freedoms

      Whenever i end up in legal trouble I’ll be sure to cite my deceased grandmother and claim to have been out of control of my faculties and I am sure like him I will be swiftly released and allowed to make a public statement days later explaining away my unruly state

      Ghastly that this man, can’t take a shred of responsibilities for his actions.

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  32. Anonymous says:

    This proves the man should be removed. Not taking responsibility for his action and just making excuses.

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  33. Anonymous says:

    Xxxxx And if he has a mental problem then for sure he should not even be in politics must less speaker of the house.
    Did we all know that he would not resign or even be charged assaulting a women.

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  34. Anonymous says:

    As far as fiction goes, I’ve read better novels purchased while waiting to pay for groceries. To invoke two deceased members of his family is a disgrace. The only part of it I agree with is his need to address his mental health, but only after a medically supervised detox. Go and find yourself, but resign first.

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  35. Anonymous says:

    I just read his complete statement. it is the most disgusting rambling excuse filled cop-out I have ever read. He is taking no responsibility for his criminal action of Friday night. I have news for you Mr. Bush: Drunk does count! You blame your past and your weight on your action. Who was it forcing you to get blind drunk? You are not man enough to take responsibility for your actions. This is more reason for the government to now take action against him. He is not man enough to resign he must be removed. It is time for the Unity government to unite and get rid of him. Do any of our elected officials have moral standing to do what is right? Or will the “good old boy’s club” help him to escape the consequences of his actions. Any of them that fail to take a stand against this, or that remain silent will have to answer next election and I know none of them will get my vote if they do not act. #Sheissupported

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  36. Anonymous says:

    He’s admitted his guilt. Now remove him from office indefinitely!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yep…..either way he’s unfit.

      His “truth” of unresolved grief issues = unfit
      Actual truth of drunk and violent = unfit

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  37. t says:

    Disgusting.

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  38. Anonymous says:

    Absolutely disgraceful to use the memory of his deceased daughter as an excuse to physically assault a female.

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  39. Anonymous says:

    Can you imagine being the type of person so desperate to cling onto power that you would blame your drunken violence on your dead daughter?

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  40. Over It says:

    What a clever statement. Admit no guilt, throw in religion, and of course victimize yourself and use your deceased daughter to do it. Truthfully, this is DISGUSTING.

    If the government is under the impression that this is ENOUGH to shut us up. They’re are wrong. We want him gone, hopefully with some others to follow.

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  41. Anonymous says:

    OMG the sympathy, illness, and self defense cards. Wasn’t he yelling at the manager that she was crap at her job….sounds like he was pretty aware of the situation and who was was being attached…Cayman you cannot let this be your representation….show the world we are better than this and make sure this guy is charged and kicked out of government.

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  42. Anonymous says:

    Still not taking personal responsibility for his behavior. Were there cameras at the establishment?

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  43. Anonymous says:

    seriously? Blaming this on the death of your daughter? Expressing you have “mental issues” that you need to seek help for. Well all the more reason for you to STEP DOWN!!!! You’re an embarrassment!
    #sheissupported
    #goawaymac
    #nomoreexcuses
    #votethemout
    #staywoke

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  44. Anonymous says:

    One word; PATHETIC!!

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  45. Anonymous says:

    WOW. So the next time some barbaric thug beats the crap out of an innocent woman all he has to do is blame it on grief and that is it? Anyone else would have been arrested considering his past rap sheet. This man has no shame. Disgusted!!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      If you’ve ever been arrested for cannabis, the RCIPS will pull you down every chance they get and search you. This really shines negative on the justice system. Pretty much telling our youth that it’s better to beat a woman and blame it on grief.

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  46. Anonymous says:

    I can not believe what I just read. Did he really just blame this on his daughters death? How about being a man and taking responsibility for your actions? I have lost loved ones as I am sure many others have and I do not drink myself silly and attack members of the public.

    You are an absolute disgrace to your country and your family including your poor deceased daughter.

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  47. Anonymous says:

    Is there not a code of conduct for public servants? Is it ok to be drunk and dis-orderly and use a government vehicle and driver to take you out drinking? Can we all use the excuse, we felt we were in danger to assault someone? Something very wrong here.

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  48. Anonymous says:

    What a crock. XXXXXXX 9 years is not “a few”.

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  49. Anonymous says:

    I’d like to see the CCTV of him at the graves, I don’t buy it. Plenty of people in Northward have lost family. He still needs to resign.

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  50. Anonymous says:

    I can only hope he is telling the truth.

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