Minister’s wife won’t be prosecuted
(CNS): The police have concluded their investigation, dubbed locally as ‘trainer-gate’, into the alleged breach of soft curfew by the health minister’s wife, Tiffany Seymour. The RCIPS has confirmed that there will be no prosecution against her but did not give any other details. Dwayne Seymour’s wife was accused of breaching the rules when she posted a video of herself exercising with a personal trainer at the peak of the lockdown.
It was never made clear whether the trainer had come to the minister’s family home or whether the meeting with the trainer had taken place at another location. But as the curfew at that time only provided for people to exercise with members of their household and not invite anyone into their home, the question of how the training session took place lawfully has not been addressed.
The issue caused a huge stir in the community and exploded on social media, as people commented on what appeared to be a case of ‘one rule for us and another for them’. In other countries senior officials and minister’s have resigned over curfew breaches, given the anger it fuels when people endure tough lockdown rules imposed by government leaders, who are then seen to breach them.
When CNS reporter Wendy Ledger asked the minister about the potential curfew breach at his family home at the daily COVID-19 briefing in April, it was met with a bizarre and now well-documented response.
What was seen as the threatening tone of the minister when he suggested that Ledger was either “stupid or brave” to ask such a question triggered in an outpouring of support for her and the CNS team and encouragment to keep asking questions of those in authority, regardless of how ministers choose to react.
But in the wake of that conference and in light of public anger over the matter, police moved to look at the allegations. On 29 April the police confirmed that after “receiving a number of reports” about the issue, an investigation to establish if a breach of curfew had occurred would take place.
On Wednesday RCIPS management issued a one line statement: “The RCIPS has confirmed that there is to be no prosecution against Mrs Tiffany Seymour following a reported breach of soft curfew regulations in April 2020.”
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Do anyone know how I can remove myself from the voters list? Just about had it with this bull s..t system.. think I will relocate somewhere else. I’ve never seen such a bunch of incompetent representatives such as in place now. The premier should be ashamed of himself and his so call band of t…….s.
Their being exposed for how useless, uneducated, and cowardly they really are was inevitable the moment they had to do more than one press conference. Normally I’d disagree with your statement regarding the voters list, but does it really matter who you vote for here? What the choice, Mac?
Maybe he lives with them?
LOL. Maybe he cuts Dwaynes hair too.
Wendy I would really like you to ask the Chief of Police or the Governor as to why no definitive statement was given. XXXX We didn’t expect anything more but I didn’t think they would be this blatant.
I can only hope that he doesn’t call you “stupid or brave” again. My guess is he will say “no comment” so as to try not to dig a further hole for him. In my opinion, he should have been arrested for insulting the modesty of a woman…then again women are not always held in high regard for him..
This is disgusting and stinks to high heaven..John John and his wife are nothing but bad examples and an embarrassment to our society. If the Premier and the Governor let this go without an explanation then we can surely expect that the charges will be dropped for Mckeeva as well and Mckeeva can certainly say precedent has been set.
So disappointed in my Government…May 2021, hurry come!
I am betting this thread gets over 100 posts, easy.
That ghastly photo of her is enough punishment, even though she probably thinks it’s worthy of a First Lady. Let’s move on. She will have enough problems to deal with in the years ahead.
Like diabetes
Special treatment and a double standard. A true shame. Exposes the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality of this government.
#WhatAJoke
Once again this just comes to show the law only applies to certain ppl. If this was anyone else it would have been jail time with a penalty. I’m really not surprised. This was a waste of investigating, that’s if they even had one. Thanks Alden#greatjob…what’s next???
She has set the precedent.
All those who were charged with breaking the rules, go before the judge and tell him/her that you want the same treatment that Mrs. Seymour received. No case to answer, no charges.
Interested to know if the truth actually matters. Most on here, from comments so far, suggest the police investigation is irrelevant. They would only be satisfied if she was found guilty, regardless of the actually truth (which we’ll never know). So how do you resolve that?
Simple. Tell us the basis for not pressing charges. It was videoed for heavens sake. Relatively easy to determine when it was shot, irrespective of where (because it sure as hell was in Cayman) or whatever Mrs Seymour has to say about it. If it was filmed during shelter in place, and the man is not a household member, its a clear breach irrespective of what Mrs Seymour has to say.
8:26pm – So, you haven’t noticed how many have been arrested and charged huge fines for less than this??? Do you not get that?
That and the way that oaf dealt with it in the press conference with SO many of his people watching… Really?? You don’t understand why people are reacting like this?
Yet another outrageous outcome for the special few. all persons charged for curfew violations need to be set free in the interest of justice. Yet they running up and down here targeting certain News Outlets just because they are trying to keep the govt honest.
What an absolute disgrace! Ask us to be compliant with the law for months but this “so and so”, oh ya, First Lady, can do whatever she wants and be protected doing so! What an example of privilege and suppression! I am appalled. Shame on you shameless “Honorable” premier, shame on you shameless “Honorable” health minister and even more so, the shameless First Lady. And these people continue to ask the people of Cayman to suffer while they can do whatever they want. Utterly disgraceful. I hope those who have been sited for prosecution use this as a defense. A clear division of the powerful and the powerless.
This is absolutely scandalous! If Government had any integrity they would have understood that the public would have required an explanation as to why in this particular matter, the Ministers wife would not be prosecuted. The minister never denied that this incident happened and in fact the Premier indicated that the Minister was not responsible for his wife’s actions. So it’s fair to conclude that the incident did happen in breach of the law. This is not a private matter. This is in the publics interest to know so that we can be confident that there is no corruption here. This is also very relevant since a sitting minister seemed to threaten the reporter for asking a perfectly reasonable question about the circumstances of this matter. The same minister also threatened persons who have written negative comments about him by calling for a police investigation into those persons, live on TV. It’s outrageous. And nobody seemed to have a problem with this. The police, Alden and all of his other sitting Ministers must understand that without a reasonable explanation not only is Government now tainted but they have also helped to cast a shadow over the police (or visa versa). Please Commissioner please provide us with an explanation, so that you all dont sit under a shadow including the very Govt by default.
Was there a curfew breach or not? If so, then the statement by the RCIPS is very concerning. If the RCIPS thinks that the decision to not prosecute is correct then they should have no problem indicating if there investigation concluded that there was a curfew breach or not. It might well be that Mrs. Seymour had a valid reason to do whatever she was doing and it is important that there is no perception of an unequal application of justice by the RCIPS &/or the DPP. A loss of confidence in the RCIPS &/or the DPP is not something we need at this time.
You have confidence to lose?! I certainly don’t!
Not fair to poor people who have to pay fines because of breach of curfew-
This need to be fully investigated by an independent department not the police
And there you have it folks…. resolution – remove him and the “First Lady” from office next election.
Suggest its worse than that – its remove the DPP unless there there is an understandable reason as to why this wasn’t prosecuted, because the alternative is that the decision not to prosecute is based on who her husband is – and that’s really, really bad.
So please refund everyone else their stupid fines. I know someone who was fined $500. He is hardly rich and was out getting some food. Yes, he took a risk, but why are these criminals exempt and more importantly, why are these criminals telling us what to do?
Well, drop all lockdowns and curfews, no point in them now is there? Well done ‘First Lady’!
This is just another example of the double standards we are living with here. These are the fine officers the commissioner is so proud of. Just like him. Charge who they want to charge and let all others go. Corrupted individuals targeting people they do not like.
Maybe the trainer was over 6ft tall. That would make it within the social distancing guidelines.
Except no other personal trainers were allowed to work at the time so what made him special? Where was his exemption letter?
LOL button!!!!! CNS can we start a funding appeal to get a comment function with more features please. There is so much to laugh at in Cayman, if only so you don’t cry instead, and we miss being able to see how many others shared in our laughter. Always but especially at this time, it would be beyond good to have. We need to laugh together.
Couldn’t agree more.
The RCIPS and DPP are jokers. The response from the Commissioner is poor.
The politically motivated double standards in Cayman explains why the corruption is rife.
They only investigate and arrest the ones they dislike. The Unity government cannot afford for minister seymour, Big Mac the other government members and PEP’sand public officers to be charged and convicted.
Cayman is a banana republic just look at decisions and outcomes.
Can we now move to prosecute Dwayne Seymour for insulting the modesty of a women on live TV, which from memory is still a criminal offense in Cayman and we have slam dunk evidence.
7.15pm What a stretch. Nothing of the sort happened.
Hardly going to offend her modesty, or intrude on her privacy, the other limb of the offence. However s88A of the Penal Code is instructive:
88A.(1) A person who, with intent to cause a person harassment, alarm or distress —
(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly
behaviour; or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is
threatening, abusive or insulting,
thereby causing that or another person harassment, alarm or distress commits
an offence and is liable to imprisonment for three years
If i had been on the receiving end of that I would have found it alarming at least.
But I suppose if we are not going to prosecute someone on video committing an offence, then prosecution someone committing an offence on live television is out of the question. I guess Dwayne would say that he didnt intend to cause alarm, just give a bible reading.
Get out una feelings. Maybe the video was done before the lockdown and people just automatically assumed it was current and her nor the minister have to let the public know.
It’s not about feelings. It is about the equal application of the law. The statement from the RCIPS should not have gone into detail but should have clearly stated that their investigation concluded that there was no curfew breach. This would have been important, not only to manage public perception, but to officially have Mrs. Seymour cleared of any perceived wrong doing. It is not adequate to simply say that no prosecution is taking place.
Trainer was wearing a mask before the lockdown? Come now, don’t be an ostrich.
It’s this type of injustice that angers people and leads to rioting, protesting and the rest of us thinking why have we bothered adhering to the curfew. Absolutely disgraceful example, if it’s fine for the Seymour’s to breach the rules I don’t think I’ll bother with them anymore either. Scum.
I don’t understand why all the fuss.
How the law is applied will depend on who you are or who you are connected to.
The average person on the street would be treated different.
There are two standards that apply.
She’ll be singing the poor and hungry tune next year when JJ never makes it off the starting blocks. She deserves him, they’re two hopeless peas in a pod.
Everyone arrested should now have a great excuse for why they shouldn’t have to pay their fines either. What is good for the goose is good for the gander..totally undermines the entire system but who is surprised. Disgusted.
Is there any truth to that story?
First of all you would have to be brave enough to ask that kind of question. I don’t know who would be that stupid but I can tell you the story of Joseph and Mary when Mary was pregnant and was still a virgin and everybody laughed at Joseph. But it turned out to be the best story ever. And also Jesus chose to ride donkey, a jackass, instead of getting a horse. I hope that answers it.
BELIEVE YOU ME
So politicians and their family don’t have to follow these strict rules and take no pay cuts. Meanwhile rest of suffer financially, mentally, and socially. This in Cayman Islands for you!
Okay, she made a mistake, geez this isn’t Watergate. I am no fan of this present government’s handling of this pandemic. And think think the ‘honorable’ minister is better suited to be the minister of French fries, but really. Is this not worth our money to litigate. Same with any non criminal offenses for breach of curfew. I think they should be likewise dismissed. Oh, someone went for a walk 5 minutes to early, drop it. Leave the courts to deal with thefts, speeding, etc. do not waste anymore of our limited resources on foolishness.
No surprises here! Next up: Mckeeva’s assault on a woman…. *poof* never happened!
#ministerswivesmatter
I’m male, but things are getting so desperate, how do I become a minister’s wife? Such a union isn’t illegal for ministers is it?
Nothing to see here, move along.
Meanwhile, down at Constitution Hall, Valdis is sentencing the little people for doing no worse.
Isn’t life grand, if you’re one of the elite…?
And doesn’t Alden have beautifully groomed hair?
Agreed. However you are implying Alden had had his hair cut. Maybe his wife did it. Mine did a good job with mine. First time ever.
8.05pm I bought a trimmer and my wife and I did mine
The collegial response, and most redemptive solution for Minister Seymour at the time would have been to volunteer the equivalent fines of the publicized offense in collaboration and solidarity with the Chief of Police’s curfew mission – maybe turn it into a teachable moment. “Yeah, I’m not sure what happened there, but here’s $750 (3x$250) Mr. Commissioner, to square our account. Nobody should be having private training sessions right now”. Frankly, his stock would have improved. Instead, this has turned into yet another tiresome kabuki of the PPM/Unity team’s own creation, which has threatened a journalist, and concludes with an RCIPS investigative dismissal. These are each much bigger deals than the previous one. A lack of willingness to address and tackle corruption was one of only a handful of important critiques from the CFATF report last year. These serious complaints aren’t going away if Cabinet members and their families are openly throwing hissy-fits and proving to be above even the most petty of fines! Does this now escalate to the warehouses of never-to-be-actioned Anti-Corruption Commission files, or are we expected to forget about it, like past/present CDP drunkery?
This investigation sums up the RCIPS. Select prosecution of some. Real
Cops
Impersonating
Public
Servants
Everyone is equal but some are more equal than others.
Actually not down to RCIPS it is the DPP who make any decision.
Just wonder how much cooperation Seymour and his wife gave to clarify the matter!
Just so you know, it wouldn’t be the RCIPS who would choose to prosecute or NOT prosecute.
The Department of Public PROSECUTIONS decides this. Hence the name.
Your anger should be directed at them, not the Police.
It depends on what was in the report that made its way to the DPP. Either way the fact that they take the view we are not entitled to an explanation is just as offensive as the offense itself.
#ICantBreathInThisMask
Black Wives Matter
Crying!!!!
LOL except it’s not really funny is it….
Lol! Brilliant!
everyone is equal unless you’re more equal it seems
onfirm why she’s not being prosecuted, else it seems double standards are at play here
Shocker!
Political Privilege!
Wow this is so frustrating. And given this stupid one man one vote system, I can’t even show my frustration at the polls next year
Can we set it straight down in these comments ya that the question still had to be asked by someone to address the elephant in the room which was larger than mount trashmore?
This is not Wendy’s fault and I applaud her for doing what real, respectable news services should be able to do.
The fact that CMR stirred the pot, made us hungry but then couldn’t feed a prosecution should instead be what the angry reactions are for. Despite various degrees of sentences, almost who does wrong takes a life sentence from her.
CMR is quick to defend her stance that 95% of the time her outlet is correct while admitting to 5% wrong. Let me ask you, in these times are you ok with 5% of bad cops?
You are assuming CMR was wrong. I want to hear the RCIPS say that the reason there was no prosecution is that there was no substance to the allegation – not just that the DPP isnt going to prosecute with no explanation as to why not. You may recall they were quick enough to deal with the child abuse rumors circulated by CMR last year exactly that way – we have investigated, and there is noit truth to the allegation. Everyone satisfied. This, by contrast, stinks.
At least say that following thorough investigation it has been determined she is innocent, and no breach occurred. Unless of course the breach did occur, the Minister did or did not mislead the Premier, the Premier did or did not know the truth when he assured the public that the allegations were just that, and we sit back watching the Governor smile as the commissioner repeats that the crime situation is stable…
I wonder whether hundreds facing court or fines over this issue might now raise a stink that it could appear that they may ultimately be guilty of not knowing the right people.
I guess the prospect of the policeman who unlawfully struck the motorcyclist with a baton while he was lying on the ground and threatened members of the public with arrest for doing nothing wrong, being arrested, is out of the question.
It appears we may have little trust in too many of our institutions, for good reason.
Governor. Did the alleged breach occur or not? Perhaps the Minister himself was misled, but it is a fair question, and whether or not the authorities deem it appropriate to prosecute, is something the public would seem to deserve clarity on (in a free and transparent democracy with the highest standards of good governance and the rule of law and all that).
While he’s at it, can the Governor tell us who has been flying in and out of Cayman on these private jets since our air space has been locked down. He passed the buck last week and I think the reporters were afraid to ask the Premier due to his curt outbursts.
I hear these flights at all hours of the day and night. Please let us know. We have every right to know who is coming on the island and if they have been quarantined like the rest of us “rift raft”. Or if they are just moving around spreading disease. Another example of overt inequality.
I think they’re being quarantined. I saw quite a bit of whining about it either here on CNS or on Facebook.
Hahahaha… Banana Republic.
Septic Isle, screaming in the suffering sea, sounds like cryyyying
Like the U.K. with it’s ministers breaking curfew or Like the US with everything going on there?
Gosh what a surprise!
Really did not expect anything different as that is the first lady!
What a surprise. One rule for us and another for them.
This sets a dangerous precedent, not unlike the Dominic Cummnings scandal in the UK and Trump’s refusal to wear a mask in America. It sends a clear message that there are two sets of rules in place; one set for the political and financial (but not intellectual in the case of Mrs. Seymour’s incoherent husband) elite and one for everybody else who waits at home in isolation while our reserves of youth, money, sanity, patience and goodwill are slowly depleted…
Totally agree. It’s clear as day. Then they try to speak as if they are “one of us”. Sure. So terrible
And the Premier wonders why people are incensed when MLAs dont take a pay cut but expect others to suffer – just doesnt get it- you cant sit there and pontificate about “my people” and “we are all in it together”, when it seems that we are not all in it together at all – some continue to get paid, and some (or rather their families) get to break the rules without any fear of consequences.
So now the CIG and RCIP lose all credibility.
Nothing to see here and the voting public, who have had to endure the catastrophic lockdown as a result of CIG failure to properly identify and manage the virus at the very outset, do not deserve to even know the conclusions that led to this ruling.
CIG, RCIPS and DPP are totally tone deaf and arrogant. One rule for the political class. Another for the rest of us.
Dominic Cummings may have broken government guidance – although he claims he didn’t – but there doesn’t seem to be any suggestion he broke any laws. Whereas the allegation here is that the first lady (sic) broke the shelter in pace regulations, which would be a criminal offence if true. nearly a thousand Caymanians an residents are finding out the consequences of breaching soft or hard curfew are not just the fine but having to go through the criminal prosecution process and the consequences of a guilty finding. One Caymanian apparently doesn’t have to worry about that – either because she is innocent , or because of who she is. And unless the DPP or RCIPS comes out and states it the former, everyone will assume its the latter.
Shocking. One rule for them and another for us. Disgusting.
Shame, but hopefully the “first lady” (can’t believe she used that handle, crazy) learnt her lesson.
Look, the personal trainer just stopped by on his way to Barnard Castle to get his eyes tested. Which is expressly allowed in the rules, it’s just not written down anywhere.
So that’s all ok then. Everything is fine. Just fine.
No breach, no explanation, no respect.
Everyone now can presumably adhere to whatever is not written down in the rules but is nevertheless allowed because the RCIPS have just blown every last ounce of their credibility and authority – triples all round!
#horseshit