Inquiry opens into alleged curfew breach
(CNS): The police have opened an inquiry into the alleged breach of curfew at the health minister’s home, after his wife posted footage of herself on social media last week working out with a personal trainer, in possible breach of the COVID-19 curfew rules. As well as asking the minister if there was any truth to the allegations at the daily briefing on Monday, CNS had also asked the police if they were following up on the allegation.
On Wednesday evening the police communications manager confirmed that they were. “Following a number of reports to RCIPS concerning this matter an investigation has commenced to establish if an offence was committed,” the spokesperson told CNS via email.
Both the allegation that a breach of curfew could have occurred at Dwayne Seymour’s home, given his position of health minister, without consequence and the apparent audacity of this news house asking that question caused what the premier described as a “absolute firestorm”.
When CNS reporter Wendy Ledger asked if there was any truth to reports that first appeared on Cayman Marl Road that there may have been a curfew infraction at his home, the minister gave a bizarre response and accused her of being brave or stupid.
Despite the clear and obvious credibility and relevance of the question, Premier Alden McLaughlin followed up with more attacks on the messenger Tuesday, making allegations against Ledger and Cayman News Service.
While defending his minister, he also asserted that he believed Seymour’s claims to him that the allegations were just that. But the premier gave no indication what had led him to believe that there was no breach of curfew or offer any explanation for the incriminating footage.
He also said that even if the accusations had some truth, the minister was not responsible for the actions of his wife, even though the alleged breach is said to have taken place at the family home and everyone is obligated to report suspected curfew infractions to the police.
McLaughlin wrongly accused Ledger of asking the question in a way to imply the minister was guilty of something and described it as a “gotcha question” that had no value and did not belong at the press briefing.
CNS disputes that assertion and stands by the legitimacy of the question given the risk posed to the entire community by any curfew breach. It is also a position, judging by the comments to this site and elsewhere on social media, that is widely shared by the Cayman public.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Everybody knows that Seymore is a joke and that Alden, with all the great things he has done during this pandemic, needs his vote. Simple as that!
What the what? Caymanians elect these men as the best the Island has to lead the country. I don’t see the room for complaint. They are by law completely and totally Caymanian.
cat chasing his tail….on onother note…right by glass house i observed 3 police officers in uniform with no masks on or gloves…less than a foot from each other walking? cheez…hypocritical
They immune don’t ya know?
They believe they can break the law at will if they are in uniform (and some even when they have a few beers in them). Speeding with no lights and sirens, no signalling, illegal parking while stopping at Burger Shack, using their phone while driving (it can’t always be an emergency ladies and gentlemen) etc, etc.
Maybe the people of Bodden Town East will hold a midnight vigil for him where they all sing Candle in the Wind. Oh wait. That’s a West Bay thing. 😂😂
For those non-Caymanians who are getting assistance like food vouchers from Govt, is it possible to see if they are also transferring money to their home country when the money transfer businesses open up?
Caymankind
v amusing! And well said
Yes check that out too much free loaders sucking Cayman dry
10.43am It will take for ever to suck Cayman dry with a one off $150 food voucher. They are vetted before they receive this magnificant sum. Check out all the Caymanians as “vets” and “seamen” receiving $850 monthly plus extra for Covid, some of whom are very wealthy and don’t even need the money.
And given the numbers of them, some of whom are clearly not old enough to be war veterans or served on National Bulk.
Those christian values in full
While you are at it do a full review of all those able bodied persons collecting from NAU
Ii understand where you are coming from but keep in mind that right now there are thousands of able bodied individuals unable to work and not getting paid because of this mess the world is in because of Civid-19. They are not earning money and it is no fault of theirs.
So now you’re asking for pity be shown to the caymanians who are not working? My brain cannot handle this much discrimination.
So you want them to eat, just not their children back home? Go away.
A food voucher for $150 which can barely cover food for a couple days and you are worried about them sending money home to help their families who are likely in dire straights. Lord have mercy on my soul. (I’m not god fearing but I like the sound of that.) The person above said it already but CAYMANKIND is a joke…people here are only kind when they are taking cash from a tourist!
Where is Franz Manderson in all this? His IS responsible for the management and performance of the civil service! Alden ultimately doesn’t run the show. Franz does and he is as quiet as a mouse.
The Minister is not a civil servant.
I didn’t say he was- I said he was RESPONSIBLE for the management and performance of the civil service.. That is taken right from Mr. Manderson’s website.
How is that remotely relevant to the conduct of the Minister? Which is what this thread is meant to be about.
Lol. “ Hoist with his own petard”.
HoistED
Both are acceptable. The first one referencing Hamlet.
Good day.
Yeah well Shakespeare wuzznt such a good speller wuzz he ?
It’s heart warming to see that Ralph and Reshma have shown journalistic solidarity with Wendy on this one. We need more of that, and less (zero) of the retribution thuggery.
I suppose he will be calling the C.of P. stupid now. I suggest that from now on March 30th be celebrated every year as “Jackass Day”, to highlight the lack of political accountability in these islands.
10.39 Your name is key. A day just for you eh.
What really bothers me that you all praise W.Ledger, but remain anonymous. How cowardice this is?
Granted, she is a reporter, it was her job to ask, but she was asking YOUR question, yet Minister’s and Premier’s condescending responses were addressed to her only!
Figuratively speaking she covered an embrasure with her own body, while you, grown up men and women of the Cayman Islands were and are hiding behind her back.
May be you deserve your government? They know you are anonymous cowards who would never openly stand up for what is right.
Unfortunately in Cayman, most people expect that speaking out against politicians will some how come back to them in the future. And you can see by his response saying someone would need to be brave enough to ask the question that he is basically saying I will make you regret this.
I thought the Cayman Islands is a civilized territory of the UK ruled by its people.
If everyone, but the reporter, is so afraid to openly stand up for what is right, simply ask a question, how different it is from North Korea autocracy?
Verbal confrontation is a part of our professional and personal lives, but Many anonymous comments here didn’t stray far from Minister’s response, therefore can’t be taken seriously.
Staying classy in any debate is a skill worth acquiring.
Lucia, I’ve done it in my own name and the consequences to me and my family have been greater than I could possibly have imagined. Careers are destroyed and livelihoods lost around here, with ongoing impunity for those responsible.
You must be new here. Or EXTREMELY naïve.
But if you want to see names, go on FB on those articles. Mine is all over there making comments.
There are no protections whatsoever in this country for those who openly stand up. To their employers or politicians. Ask around and you’ll find countless crooked acts in violation of a number of given laws and nobody can do anything because of fear of retribution. Open your eyes. Thanks
Please learn the culture of cayman before commenting on ppl hiding like cowards. Ppl in Cayman are held back and down if they speak out against injustice.
So what’s your plan? We all start putting our first middle and last names in the little bar that says “name” on CNS articles? That’ll show them that uh…..people have names? At best now they know who to give the bad eye to at the family reunion? What is this going to solve?
They’re people right now on Facebook on this exact article criticizing the MOH and the premier. Go back to the article that started this all and they’re 33 comments bashing them on Facebook alone! First middle and last name, with photos! What more are people to do? Fingerprints and a urine sample? Upload a scan of your drivers license with every comment online?
The notion that people deserve bad leaders because they aren’t willing to publicly speak out against them is hilarious. Chinese people who are critical of their government do so anonymously because of fear of retaliation. By your logic they are cowards and deserve to live under a dictatorship.
Lucia, your entire premise does not take into account the individual(s) we are dealing with here. Do you understand the word “RETRIBUTION” and “FREE SPEECH”, intelligent politicians and people who desire to lead others never use these words in the same sentence? You only need to look as far as the MoH. He wanted the POLICE to INVESTIGATE and find out who wrote the first negative comment re his ongoing bumblings, and when they were found, JAIL them! (this is on video, then he cried). Until this Caymankind behaviour changes, that is all you need to know why so many want to stay ANONYMOUS.
He also inferred the Wrath of God on those that would oppose his heavenly selection!
On a number of occasions Dwayne has said on the press briefing that the government was selected by God (presumably the people of Bodden Town merely a tool of divine intervention). Criticise the MoH and you are questioning God’s judgment at best, at worst flouting his will.
The devine right of the Legislative Assembly
8.44 maybe your parents didn’t give you enough common sense since you insist on misusing Caymankind and putting your own twisted definition on the word.
Having been on the hot receiving end of some past strange coincidences, I can tell you, it’s definitely better to remain anonymous in the Cayman Islands. We aren’t in Kansas anymore Toto.
We live on an island where 57 kilos of drugs, with a street value of $30mln, can walk unchallenged out of a secure police evidence locker, at a barbed wire gated facility, with lights, CCTV, guards, and nobody saw anything and the video footage wasn’t there, and where the CoP has to admit it was an inside job. Consider that only a very high level short list of privileged access and gov’t connected knew it was there. That’s another good reason why we choose to be anonymous.
8.58am The difference here is that Drugman did not break a curfew restriction, which is far more serious.
I’m a civil servant. While I agree with Wendy I can’t do so publicly under my own name for fear that I will not be seen as impartial. I don’t always agree with what government says or does but I have to pretend I do publicly. Speaking out could cost me my job.
If you want your work permit, PR certificate or trade & biz licence to suddenly magically disappear continue to post using your own name.
Miss Lucia,
Stop stating things that are categorically false. Not all folk who support Wendy are anonymous.
Bless.
Irrespective of any suggestion of the Minister’s complicity he sure as hell publicly threatened the reporter.
Watching these Chinavirus sessions is like watching a scene from the Marx Brothers movie, Duck Soup. The bottom line is that it is crazy to think of Cayman as a “country”. At best it is a small southern town run by a collection of Boss Hogs, who do whatever they like, whenever they like. You who voted them into office because of antiwhite hatred, family and church ties, or whatever is going on in your addled heads when YOU decide to vote for such persons, are responsible. YOU are the bigger fools. The next time you vote, perhaps you should consider items like merit and integrity.
Maybe you should go back to the Trumpland south, you racist redneck. Your orange hero’s press briefings are so much better – more like Schindler’s List than Duck Soup.
Hillary, didn’t you take your meds this morning. BTW. You lost.
The real racists are the fools who will vote for an idiot, relying on any basis other than character and merit. In the USA there are plenty of Afros of merit. To name two off the top of my head, Ben Carson and Clarence Thomas. I would support either man for any office he cared to seek. As for you, you can take your antiwhite hate speech (“redneck” is the antiwhite equivalent of another racist odious term that begins with “N”) and shove it where the sun don’t shine.
By the way, Cayman Progressives aren’t the only ones who think that their oppressive rules should apply to the little people, but not apply to them. It’s a problem in New York too:
https://www.citizenfreepress.com/column-1/de-blasio-and-wife-heckled-for-breaking-nyc-essential-travel-law-caught-on-video/
According to Chapman and Kipfer in their “Dictionary of American Slang”, by 1975 the term had expanded in meaning beyond the poor Southerner to refer to “a bigoted and conventional person, a loutish ultra-conservative”.
You lost all respect with those that you listed. SMH
Ok Southern boomer. No wonder Neil Young hates y’all.
Given the OP was criticising the South, think it highly unlikely he is a redneck.
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don’t need him around anyhow. – LS
He must be very brave or stupid. A goat walked into a town and a donkey laughed. Turned out to be the best story ever.
“Following a number of reports” they are acting? Why would they not investigate of their own volition on learning of the story. And not exactly an Agatha Christie whodunnit. how long is this going to take?
Happy Gaypril, Dwayne.
Could somebody please let us know what is in the substance that we are sprayed with at supermarkets and public places?
hurleys and kirk’s use alcohol, fosters camana bay use a multi surface cleaner.
Its a food grade sanitizer theyve used for YEARS. Nothing new with unknown side effects.
Maybe, but its not HAND sanitizer, only alcohol is reccomrnded and proven for coronavirus, is the food grade sanitizer supposed to be sprayed on skin? I notice the staff at the tills have proper alcohol hand sanitizer.
Do you know the make of what they are using?
https://mashable.com/article/best-hand-sanitizer-coronavirus/
Ecolab no rinse food contact cleaner sanitizer.
https://safetydata.ecolab.com/svc/GetPdf/?cntry=US&langid=en-US&sid=916378-02
That pdf is scary, it should be used on people directly.
Spray to make you gay.
Mind control juice! Trying to skebabble their ways into our brains, make us buy more toilet paper! If you really wanted to know, you’d ask the person spraying you with it, not the general public who doesn’t know anymore than you.
Ignorant, entitled, not too bright and spoiled rotten, all of them. Oh and Lord baby Jesus Mary and Joseph, that photo of him not helping matters a’tall. This whole government is a joke. It doesn’t surprise me his attitude nor the probability of this going away for him very quickly.
Everytime you see this amazing gentleman Tom Moore in England, the more it shows how little certain people here are worth. HAPPY BIRTHDAY 100 and thank you for raising so much! You gave your life in service and 100 you still are! Thank you Sir! God bless and keep you safe. X
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-52483088/live-coverage-captain-tom-moore-s-100th-birthday Please ask Governor to acknowledge this amazing man with no crying, no tantrums! Without men and women like him most of us would not be here! Bless him!
Not sure on which planet this guy would be a Minister of Anything, never mind of Health. Does he even have the ability to spell the name of his Ministry? I wonder… As for Dalton, how expectedly unprofessional of him to disregard any ethics and morals he may have learned as a child for political gains. Doing the right thing seems to be no longer part of his vocabulary if it ever was. Shameful. You expect that from an illiterate, bumbling, and uncultured fool, you expect a bit more from your supposedly educated Premier.
BTC that what they say about your PM. BJ. what a joke
Yaaaaawn. When can ooen my business to start making more money please and thanks
Nuh say nuttin!
I noticed the Governor didn’t have a dog or a donkey (otherwise known as a jackass) in this fight. I believe after hearing John John’s outburst and threats and then followed up by Alden’s berating of Wendy and the free press and completing re-inventing her question, he probably texting Commissioner Byrne to get an investigation going right away…
The Governor came to John John’s defense when he was crying but the man must of thought what is the use of trying to help either of these idiots..So embarrassing.
I wonder if Alden and John John realize that these press conferences are watched all over the world and making an ass of themselves in counter-intuitive and makes us Caymanians look like idiots..
Alden, not only is the honeymoon over but you have chosen to spend all your “well earned” political capital on someone that can’t stand up for himself and should know better.
I was waiting for him to look up and tell Wendy, at least she didnt get called a cockaroach!
…. or driftwood….
Yeah I hope Alden realizes that with the comments he made supporting the dufus and berating Wendy that he got cut down considerably if not down to pro port days approval rating. Such a shame.
Alden showed us all who he is the past three weeks is the exception not the norm. He showed us the essence of him as a man and leader. He’ll say or do anything for power and to keep it. His attack on Wendy was worse than bozo the clown Jon Jon comments because nobody expects any better of the MOH
You can’t make this stuff up!
This inquiry might signify redemption! As a lapsed Catholic, the MoH might have resurrected my faith that there is a God! and he is using Wendy as his disciple!
The wife cannot plead ignorance of the law. The Minister, her husband, repeats Stay Home, Stay Safe Cayman, every single day on the briefings, in every language of the World, for Pete’s sake! Did he miss the only one she knows or understands?
This is such a shame. All the good work done by everyone undermined by the man child who isn’t fit to hold any position in government let alone MOH. FFS Just resign. You add no value to the press conferences and are so far out of your depth it is pathetic.
9.22pm Where did all these thumbs down suddenly come from?.
Civil servants
To be fair, I’m sure his heart was in the right place, but he’s so out of his depth it’s such an embarrassment to him whether he acknowledges or not. I think for his own self worth and sanity he should step down.
He was obviously already on shaky nerves when he started to cry a few briefings ago. For his own health he should resign and we’d talk respect him for that.
Bless the poor sod.
Good. Now without distracting from that, do you not think it about time to investigate why people who had almost no connection to Cayman got granted status several years ago? Should be pretty easy, shouldn’t it? We have been awfully patient.
Be careful Mr. Premier doesn’t lock us down for another month…don’t get him vex that he starts to stammer…remember he has already wiped out the fish by not allowing the fishermen to check their pots…he put liquor stores above churches and hardware stores….he banned people from the cure for the virus (sun & salt air)….he made people withdraw their pensions (so as not to have to support them from our coffers)…he…let me hush…
Reason that they are keeping the money is to keep their paychecks & benefits rolling in. They do not care about the average person as what can they do for the mighty elected officials.
So glad they kept the liquor stores open. I need alcohol whenever Dwayne Seymour opens his mouth and I am not quick enough to switch the TV off!
This highlights some issues concerning double standards. So Mr. Mario Rankin a few weeks was publicly crucified over his rant /personal opinion about the reason for the BA flight and the governors wife. Since there has been no further investigation into this allegation, We can classify his “private” voice note as unverified, “marl road gossip”. Flash forward to present, Ms. Ledger uses that same unverified, “marl road gossip” concept to allege wrongdoing by the ministers wife.
CNS: Even though the premier has erroneously chosen to frame Wendy’s question like this, that is not what happened, which is very clear to anyone who watches the video. She asked him for comment. Anyone in a public position with even minimal PR skills would have either taken the opportunity to deny it and offer an explanation or ‘fessed up and apologised profusely. Either way, he would have garnered a little respect.
Also, she uses that opportunity insinuate conflict publicly to provoke an under performing, clearly overwhelmed minister. I guess two wrongs do make a right ?
CNS: So basically, Minister Seymour cannot do his job and it’s Wendy’s fault for asking him a difficult question.
And she is being hailed as a hero, a champion of women’s rights even! . No calls from the same public for apologies to the Minister and how ashamed we are to be caymanian, etc etc…
Further, a few weeks ago a blatant disregard for social distancing was caught on camera on the boardwalk by assumed residents of the South Sound community, ignoring governments request to stay home and social distance. Yet nothing more was heard of this and no arrests made. Even after this breach was reported to the commissioner at the preceding news conference. No comment was made.
“I know the governor is doing this to bring in his wife” is not a “personal opinion.” It is a statement of fact that was blatantly untrue.
Seymour is that you?
Surely the difference between the Rankine and trainer incidents is that in the Rankine case an allegation was immediately refuted, could be shown to have absolutely no basis in fact, and was in fact admitted by Mr Rankine, whereas the trainer incident is based on the press asking for a comment on the internet posting of an apparent breach of curfew posting by the person concerned and being told to shut up.
What are you suggesting – because someone makes a completely unsubstantiated allegation about a public official the press shouldn’t be allowed to ask questions about any conduct by a public official or their family members, even where there is prima facie evidence that there is a case to at least investigate?
By your logic someone could publish a video of Alden sitting at a barbers during lock down and the press shouldn’t ask about it.
But you are right – there is a double standard. In Rankine’s case it didn’t even take press interest before a RCIPS investigation was launched. In Trainergates case it took public coverage of the issue on national television, and questions being raised with RCIPS by the press, before anything was done. Your double standards comment should be addressed at the RCIPS and the people sitting behind the table at the press conference, not Wendy Ledger.
The other day Doona accidentally introduced Wendy from the Compass. Wendy’s response was they wouldn’t want her at the Compass. Well Mrs. Ledger I believe any news organizations anywhere in the world would be proud to have someone of your integrity on staff. That being said I am happy you are here truly being the voice of the voiceless and a face for the faceless. Your contributions to democracy in these Islands is something to be respected.
I wouldn’t want Wendy to be at the Compass. She wouldn’t be able to ask tough questions if she was there. Compass is basically just there to repeat stories and press releases not to do investigative journalism. As a country, we need cns
Absolutely right.
CNS is the only news organisation on the island worth its salt. Without CNS, we would truly be lost and our politicians never held to account. Could I please urge everyone to SUPPORT CNS with a regular donation. And yes, I have put my money where my mouth is! Thanks everyone
JonJon gonna lick up whole lotta people with a cow cod. Breaking point soon come!
Not sure if you meant this or not, but everything you’re saying is precisely why Wendy would not be welcome at the Compass and she knows it.
Why y’all cya understand? These rules not for “the Gods”, just us mere mortals 🤣
I’ve watched a few press briefings. Can someone help me with something? What decade is it here in the Cayman Islands?
We aren’t sure either.
It’s 1977….. Blue Bayou
To 8.20 Just pick one. Obviously it doesn’t really matter to you.
I would like to see more of the questions directed to Dwayne since he is our MOH to see what he really knows. He just seems to sit there and breeze through.
nobody asks him, as he know nothing, it would be a waste of more of his breath
make him work a little for all the money he’s making. Ask him questions!
@8.15 He leaves the technical questions to the man with the expertise to do so.. Dr Lee. The MOH post does not require medical training but requires that he surrounds himself with persons qualified in the subject matter. Dr Lee..what a great hire. Thank you Dwayne.
Should be an open and shut case with our state of the art digital forensic hub. Hope the Commissioner is getting his best experts on the case lol
One of the lessons that I hope the Premier and the MoH will learn out of this is that, particularly in our crisis conditions, the media must be regarded as a member of the team.
They are not just there as your communication tools; they are not your adversaries; they are your eyes and ears on the ground. They play an invaluable role in communicating to you what the concerns of people are, giving you the opportunity to inform and clarify.
As a team member, each and everyone deserve just as much respect and consideration as any other member of the team.
We know where the MoH stands, but it is not clear that the Premier regards the press as a team member.
For example, when the MoH screws up, he finds ways to defend him. Ok, fair enough, but when Ms. Ledger made a minor mistake in regards to a Legislative Assembly meeting, he embarrassed her on the national stage.
In this particular instance, in defending the MoH, he doubled down on the press, and attributed motives that, by the way, disregarded what he knows to be the role of the press—to ask questions that people are concerned about.
The Premier must correct the impression that he is giving as soon as possible so that the ship can stop listing. And going forward from now on, he must endeavour to accord the press the full respect due to a full partner in this crisis.
Do remember too that members of the press are particularly impacted during this crisis by their agencies’ loss of advertising revenue that pays salaries.
They nevertheless soldier on, Good Friday, whenever, without complaint.
Respects has to be earned not demanded. Wendy has to earn that respect. A team member would not run you down or allow commenters free rein to call you all sorts of names and not even clarify when posters are known to be lying. A team member would make sure to correct any errors in an article that shows you in a negative light .A team member would not refuse to correct said errors even after it has been brought to their attention more than once.. Wendy has stated that she allows leeway in criticizing politicians but is this fair?
CNS: Wendy has never stated that because Wendy does not and never has moderated the comments. You honestly think she has the time to write almost all the stories and do this?
Yes, it’s fair. The politicians here get off unbelievably lightly when it comes to criticism (no late night shows to take the mick, no Daily Mail to contend with), which is why many of them seem to act as though they are untouchable and get so unbalanced by anything that isn’t the softest of softball questions. With little teeth in any of the watchdogs overseeing government, they wield a lot of power over people’s lives.
As to changing a story that was supposedly wrong, I don’t know what you are talking about, but did the supposedly injured party pick up the phone and call us, or send an email? Or are you talking about an anonymous comment that we were supposed to accept as an authority? I’m guessing the latter.
We give our commenters free reign because free speech is otherwise severely curtailed here. The politicians wield that power against critics in shameful ways. Remember when the premier called the previous publisher of the Compass a traitor (from the safety of the LA)?
Because of the power it wields the press has to be both free and fair. If the press is biased and unfair in it’s coverage, it not only loses respect but has the potential to cause public unrest.
CNS: No politician and no government anywhere in the world think the press is fair. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t. It means they are seeing it through the lens of their own prejudice, which for them and their followers means ‘make me look wonderful because I deserve it’. Public unrest? Which island are you living on? Get a grip. What you mean is you get a population that has ideas that are not necessarily that of the government. Heavens above!
And that is an awesome responsibility .When comments that are contrary to the aims of a certain media are excluded , that is not a fair press.
CNS: More utter BS. The comment section is littered with comments that are very much contrary to the views or positions of CNS. I delete around 5% of comments for a variety of reasons; invariably the author assumes it’s because I don’t agree with them because they cannot see anything else wrong with it.
Just to be on the safe side I copy and paste my comments and save them elsewhere just in case there is any dispute.
CNS: Somehow you make this sound like a threat (and I think you have made it before) but you have to understand that I really and truly don’t care. I am only concerned with what is on CNS. Feel free to publish them wherever you like. Go mad, start your own blog, paste it all over Facebook.
Cns can you please publish this in the interest of fairness.
CNS: Yes. However, I do want to say that, while I appreciate the support of the OP, I don’t agree. I think they were trying to say that we are an important part of democracy, which is true, but we can’t do our jobs properly if we all feel we are on the same team. In fact, I think part of the problem here is that many politicians think that the press should be on their team, that our role is to be something like state media.
The press covers events and acts as a watchdog over the movers and shakers of the day. That doesn’t mean it has to be adversarial but it does mean that it quite often is. However, Wendy’s only contribution to the current apparent ‘conflict’ was to politely ask a reasonable question. The reaction has been bizarre and really quite silly.
Hello apologist. Bye now. Thanks to CNS for the rebuttals
To CNS ‘As to changing a story that was supposedly wrong, I don’t know what you are talking about, but did the supposedly injured party pick up the phone and call us, or send an email? Or are you talking about an anonymous comment that we were supposed to accept as an authority? I’m guessing the latter.” I was referring to this paragraph from article on 15/4/20 entitled Evacuation flights start with Miami. “The premier confirmed that government will allow people to leave on private planes. It is not clear if this has already been happening as the premier said he was unaware of any aircraft activity at Owen Roberts International Airport. However, CNS readers have sent tracking details for several flights in and around the region, including to and from Belize and Mexico, even though the airport is closed.” However this incorrect statement has still not been changed even though it was pointed out by a poster that the Premier had not denied knowledge of any activity but rather that he was aware of some air ambulance flights but not of flights to Mexico or Belize.(see
Anonymous says:
17/04/2020 at 2:17 am
2.46pm He sad that he was unaware of any flights to Mexico or Belize. However he was aware of some air ambulance flights to other destinations This info can be confirmed at the 1:37 mark of the Youtube video.Thank you
Yea, good luck proving that an offense was committed based solely on an undated video that is no longer publicly available. If this even makes it to court her lawyer is going to have a field day with it.
Comedy gold.
I was just going to say we really need the LOL button back!
I hereby nominate Ms Ledger for the title of National Hero. She is standing up for a free press which is the basis of a democracy. Those in power must be held accountable.
Fair enough, but don’t forget Cayman Marl Road as well, Sandra broke the story first.
Kudos to both of them.
Statue in hero’s square!
8.489mPlease!, not next to Jim Bodden!. We need “social distancing”.
I second that.
No offense to Ms. Ledger who does a great job, but does every here have to be National Hero? It’s not even a Nation. Keep up the great work Ms. Ledger.
na·tion
/ˈnāSH(ə)n/
noun
a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.
7.57pm She will never be a National Hero in Cayman.
So, why is Ms. Sandra Hill the reporter at Cayman Marl Road who first reported the story not also appointed a “National Hero”?
The government discriminates against some members of the press by preventing them from attending pres conferences.
This violates the Constitution Sections 16 and 19.
The Premier talks about everyone working together in the COVID-19 Crisis, then he proceeds to discriminate, dividing the press between the “Chosen” and the “Unchosen”.
can you “honestly” say she is press? Realistically more of a gossip columnist I mean her site is “Marl Road”
Listen, with free speech you also invite the likes of Laura Ingram, Rush Limbaugh, and Piers Morgan. It can’t only go one way.
Having press access is based on the conduct of the media organization. An organization that consistently prints untruths and unverified rumours disqualifies itself from some access.
Scotland’s MOH was fired because her family visited her second home but in that instance at least no third parties were involved. Surely he will resign?
He won’t reaign and nothing will happen to him either. Alden spoke up for him which I thought was so unprofessional. Especially after he was so disrespectful and they are grown men running our country. Very sad and frustrating! It would be embarrassing if other countries were watching our press briefings on these unprofessional days!!
Absolutely disgusting behaviour from elected officials
I am another country watching 👀. Gives me a good chuckle this. I wish my country was this funny.
Scotland’s MOH was NOT fired.
She resigned because she knew her position was *untenable*.
That word does not exist in the official CI Govt dictionary.
Wrong, she was asked to resign by the Scottish Prime Minister. That is tantamount to being fired.
9:29 pm: if she had not resigned, she would have been fired. See following UK news report following a press conference by Scottish Government First Minister:
‘The First Minister again backed the doctor’s advice, saying: ‘Dr Calderwood’s advice to me, to the government and to people across Scotland over the past few weeks has been the right advice.
‘People should continue to stay at home to protect the NHS and to save lives.
‘It is however clear that the mistake she made – even though she has apologised sincerely and honourably for it – risks distracting from and undermining confidence in the government’s public health message at this crucial time.
‘That is not a risk either of us is willing to take.’
The First Minister paid tribute to Dr Calderwood, saying she was a ‘transformational’ chief medical officer (CMO).’
And, by the way, she had visited her second home, which is an hour away from her Edinburgh home-base, not once, but twice.
The Scottish police has warned her twice about any such future behaviour.
Mr. Mugabe, not disagreeing with you but just setting the record straight. Dr. Catherine Calderwood was not MoH in Scotland but CMO, like Dr. Lee is here. I believe she originally offered to resign but this was turned down by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who did an about face shortly afterward.
Anonymous,
I stand corrected. Yes she was the CMO.
Dwayne wears a WWJD – What would Jesus do – bracelet. Not sure Jesus ever threatened anyone who asked him a difficult question. Perhaps Dwayne should reflect on the right response here.
Jesus threatened the horse so he was left with a donkey. No, No, I mean the donkey rode in and and bit the hare and then the snake bit the horse and then the donkey was running and I caught it and then.. yea, yea that was it. And and it all ended with two jackasses hehehehehehehehhe… haha haha.
That means What Would JonJon Do.
Jesus would not commit the sin of gluttony to the point of being morbidly obese.
No doubt he will find some justification in his book of fiction to support his behavior
Jesus would do some exercise at home and present a better image as head of the Health Ministry…
I think that’s the Jesus from fastest unwritten testament…the Convenient Jesus.
@ Anonymous 29/04/2020 at 7:27 – exactly! Why is this so difficult for so many to understand? It had to and must be addressed and investigated.
That’s not good JOHN JOHN if it’s true bro.
https://youtu.be/1LWP0efEpVU
One would think that Alden and Seymour would just apologize and move on. Nobody wants a waste of public resources.
Let me try to intonate this one.
McLaughlin: “Dwayne, I can’t believe you did this.”
Seymour: “But, we love trainers.”
McLaughlin: “I know, bro’, but you are going to have to take this one for the team.”
Seymour: “Ok, I promise.”
Press conference next day…..
Seymour: “Well someone has to be brave and stupid to expect me to apologize, but there it yes.”
McLaughlin: “Sheesh. I give up.”
Dwayne doesn’t look like he loves trainers 😂
Please, for the love of baby youknowwho, CNS – give us the laugh button so we can show appreciation for comments like this. We all need a bit of a laugh these days…please?
Need that LOL button
Ask the last one he assaulted. Him and trainers do not get along.
Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the MoH was the one who took the photo!
They should inquire into his threat to Wendy bout she must be brave. Also insulting modesty by his remarks.
Let’s not use this modesty of a woman law. It’s archaic and insulting to woman. If we want proper justice these types of laws to be used when they suit us are self defeating
To 7.10pm If you didn’t understand John then you should not guess at his meaning and try to create your own narrative . He was saying the seem thing some of you are saying …Wendy has some large cajones. So how is it not a threat when they say it.
The RCIPS had no choice in the matter. If they did not investigate the allegations they would have to do away with all of the tickets that were issues for breaches of the soft curfew.
Yes I agree and I would be shocked if anything became of this. Why are the governor and Alden publicly speaking for Dwayne. It’s unprofessional. He’s not a child!
Bad boy Bad boy whatcha gonna do. Watcha gonna do when dey come fo you?
Cry like a baby
8.09pm Cyberbully. Bully. Bully.
You gonna tell my mommy?
Gotcha!
Good, being the wife of a minster does not put her above the law
Apparently the MoH’s wife refers to herself as “The First Lady Seymour”, anyone know if there is any truth to this?
This is not a witch hunt. This is about accountability. I realize he is not accountable for his wife’s action’s, but for it to be ignored, and then SHUNNED when asked about it is absolutely shameful. Then, for the Premiere to essentially tell us “We’re all in this TWO TIERED system together” on top of that-was a slap. We all want to be treated fairly. For all of us to make the necessary sacrifice of staying indoors and not socializing–(because it’s the rules and we would be fined/jailed) –and for it to be disregarded in the homes of our leaders, OUR HEALTH MINISTER, is the ultimate insult. No one wants anyone in trouble. We just want things to be fair. I fear the Premiere and MHS have handled this so poorly that even giving his wife a ticket, now, would be seen as pandering to what should have been done originally. Our focus SHOULD be on staying well and taking care of each other. The fact that we are ALL distracted by this side show is squarely on the Premiere and MHS as they didn’t put an end to it. Finally, I’d love to see women treated a little better here. It’s shameful to accept that kind of behaviour (calling her foolish/an ass). Our children are watching and deserve better. We’re in this TOGETHER Cayman. Let’s all follow and be held to the same rules. Better times soon come. Much love, patience, and good health to all.
⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️
To 6.56pm Biased just a little? You cry foul because you say that the Minister called Wendy an ‘ass’ (which is a lie) have nothing to say about Cayman Marl Rd calling the Ministers wife “Jackass”. Oh what a tangled web we weave when we are trying to deceive.That was the reason for the Minister’s use of the bible text referencing Jesus use of a jackass .He was not calling Wendy an ass.
One doesn’t need to be biased. This isn’t about sides. Widen your scope. Fair or not, “we” are held at different standards. A politician degrading a woman in public is far more impactful and negative than the press calling someone a jackass. “With great power comes great responsibility.” If someone can’t comprehend that, then they shouldn’t hold a position of power. Read your “comment”/criticism of what I wrote. Assume positive intent and rather than cast stones, find a way to be better. The way the Premiere and MHS handled themselves here has caused a lot of damage. It all can be repaired and forgiven–but they need to start the process. I wish you well.
Some animals are more equal than others
Finally! And thank you to you, Ms Wendy Ledger, for having massive cajones!
Ze Big Balls!
I hope she does not have any however, I recall they used to be cojones
I don’t think that’s quite the compliment you intend. Clearly having cojones is no qualification at all.
6.56 pm That sound awkward.
Lets see if they sweep this one under the rug!
Would have to be a big rug, and then the big bump in the rug will still be visible. They might be inclined to bury it before the next election but the stink will still be around. Let’s hope voters chose to clean house thoroughly next year.
It’s a big house and there are lots of rooms in it.
The dump was originally a rug – it’s so high with all the stuff swept under it!
Very happy for the news. Hopefully it’s not a sham.
As if the poor RCIPS doesn’t have anything else to do!
There are much bigger fish to fry than this!
I dunno, he’s a pretty big fish
Really? Like what? Struggling to think of something more fundamental than a suggestion that 65000 peoples rights of free association have been suspended but a family member of the Minister at the heart of that has not only breached the rules that apply to everyone else, but responds to a query about that with a threat, followed by the Premier in effect saying that the actions of those at the center of power making the rules that ;lock down everyone else are not even to be questioned. No mate, doesn’t get any bigger than that if you ant to live in a free society governed by law. Innocent or guilty, being seen to be subject to the same rules is pretty critical if you expect everyone else to be bound by them .
Guy is such a hypocrite. Acts all pious and quotes scripture, then uses the bible not to praise his God or inspire the public but rather to degrade a woman. Shame on him!
Exactly! Well said, I completely agree.
The silent Governor.
The pompus Premier.
The Mighty Minister.
All of them have demonstrated how fast a little power goes to the heads of leaders, turning them into powerful almighty powerful CONSTITUTION VIOLATING UNQUESTIONABLE RULERS.
Yes. All those hands to spray at the grocery store. Who has time for real police work!? You funny
Good! Now when they find out who the trainer is and (if he is breaking curfew) he needs to face consequences also! Personal trainers have all been home while he (may have been) been out and about making money and breaking the law. The rest of us that cannot work right now have also been patiently waiting at home and playing by the rules. This is not to be taken lightly or as a joke…..STAYING HOME AND SOCIAL DISTANCING IS WHAT IS SAVING LIVES AND STOPPING THE SPREAD. This is what really bothers me about Dwayne showing no remorse and Alden shrugging it off!! They both will not be getting a vote from me that’s for sure.
The police realise more than most that this is actually a significant law and order issue. If the public see the Govt condoning a breach of the curfew law and the police standing idly by, this will render the curfew law meaningless and it may result in a complete breakdown of curfew compliance. The danger is that this may then result in wider general disorder, especially in light of many losing their jobs / income and the great wealth disparity on this island.
@ Anonymous 29/04/2020 at 7:27 pm – exactly! Why is this so difficult for so many to understand.
People don’t like to think. It’s too much work!
Because Mr. Seymour is mi friend and Marl Road is evil because it exposed someone close to to mi friend.
Tell your friend he should resign
Sure, I just wish I could have confidence in the police acting even when the public does not raise a stink!
The curfew order has been a joke from day one.
Then the UK will have to send a thousand more soldiers to keep us under lockdown, we will soon be like Northern Ireland with the UK soldiers using us for target practice!
As a former military man, sadly, you really don’t know what you are talking about.
ever heard of the IRA…?
This is bad but guys most MLA’s said “nuttin” when a poor woman was publicly and brutally assaulted at her work place by one of their own…..they are bound by weakness and greed and dissension will surely destroy what little power they have. Aldart is still the most dangerous leader you have ever had…he’s given away everything, not out of arrogance as some say, XXXXX.
@6.49 Who is the cause of all this? Not Wendy!
At the outset of all this the Commissioner was at pains to point out that policing in a democratic state is by consent. The Seymours have driven a coach and horses staight through that.
the only bigger fish is McKeeva and they working on frying him now…
Little late, don’t ya think?