McLean demands paper trail between Roper and UK

| 07/08/2020 | 115 Comments
Cayman News Service
Opposition Leader Arden McLean in the LA

(CNS): Opposition Leader Arden McLean has written to Governor Martyn Roper asking him to disclose the correspondence between his office and the Foreign Office that led to his decision to pass the Domestic Partnership Bill himself. Meanwhile, as the opposition continues to object to the bill and the marriage equality debate rages on, the Human Rights Commission has welcomed the move and urged the community to “reject intolerance and discrimination”.

In its statement the HRC said, “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, particularly when addressing human rights infractions.” The members said that the bill satisfies a legal requirement to ensure “respect of human dignity through non-discrimination and equality”.

But the opposition members were still raising concerns Thursday, despite knowing that once the legislature failed to uphold the rule of law, either this piece of legislation or full marriage equality would be imposed.

Following the governor’s statement, members of the official opposition met several times to discuss the matter and were now asking for the relevant correspondence with the UK to be made public.

“We feel that for such a divisive, contentious and emotive issue it would be in the interest of good governance to have full and transparent disclosure so that the Caymanian people can have no doubts regarding the position of the UK Government,” the opposition stated.

Yesterday, Premier Alden McLaughlin reminded all lawmakers who voted down the Domestic Partnership Bill last week how many times he and the attorney general had warned them that the UK would act if the Legislative Assembly did not do as directed by the Court of Appeal at the end of last year.

“I and other members of government… took pains over and over again to remind members… that if the Legislative Assembly failed to do its duty and uphold the law and respect and act upon the declaration of our own Court of Appeal, then the UK government would be obligated to do so,” he said.

McLaughlin noted that the issue was not up for debate because it was “a matter of law that required the Legislative Assembly to pass suitable legislation to protect the rights of Chantelle and Vickie and other Caymanian same-sex couples, as required in a modern society governed by the rule of law”.

He added, “I also know that both Baroness Sugg and Governor Roper deeply regret that they have been forced to take this action.”

The HRC said in its statement responding to the matter that the governor had “made his decision with due care and concern for the entire jurisdiction. His decision provides for the upholding of our own Bill of Rights under the Constitution as well as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).”

Supporting Roper’s decision, the commission said that to ensure a sound decision is made for the finalisation of the bill, everyone should review it when the consultation begins Monday and provide comments.

“During this time that we are all duty bound to treat each other with courtesy, dignity and respect and to reject intolerance and discrimination,” the HRC added.

See all the statements on the DPB in the CNS Library


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Category: Laws, Politics

Comments (115)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    It would be like a cheeseburger flipper demanding the superior franchisee share a copy of their confidential franchisor payment terms and agreement, for idle minions to gab and opine on. It should be well-understood to grade-school civics students that’s not their domain at all. Like most things McLean, this power-parity fail should yield nothing beyond highlighting (again) his poorly-calibrated self-confidence, and static frozen-in-time macrocultural unsuitability.

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  2. Anonymous says:

    what year is this?

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  3. john says:

    Just think. These idiots are paid over $100,000 per year plus all the sweet deals they can find. Plus a pension.

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    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      Most of us could do their jobs via a Skype chat.. and do it better. There are those rare persons who I believe are sentient enough to take us all to a better place. They are few.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Plus free medical insurance for life. E E and Bodden Town please how common sense next May electon day

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    • Anonymous says:

      In my long years I have never seen such bunch a disgruntled people on one page!

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  4. Anonymous says:

    “……. so that the Caymanian people can have no doubts regarding the position of the UK Government,” the opposition stated.“
    How much clearer can it be FFS?

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Listen you expats I a gay Caymanian. I do not want a parade or any of that shit.

    I just want my forrign born partner to be able to live here with me and be able to work without all the immigrstion bullshit.

    That is all!!!

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    • BeaumontZodecloun says:

      That sounds perfectly reasonable.

      Any person who is here by request of Caymanian — work permit — or here by Residency or born Caymanian or Status Holder should be able to get their partner to come here to live with them. I don’t care about their particulars. If you are here legally, you should be able to have your Darlin’ with you.

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    • Anonymous says:

      11.52 it’s not the expats you need to worry about , check your MLA’s and Churches .

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Gay marriage. Nothing less. That’s what the UK needs to mandate.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    I am hearing that there are plans afoot for members to walk the aisle…and to make Arden Premier.

    God help us.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Lol

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    • Anonymous says:

      To Arden: YOU WISH!

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      • Anonymous says:

        If we can get the Governor’s emails let’s see Ardens about all those jobs he keep trying to say should be held by specific people (eg PWD, law firms) and yet he can’t do anything about legislating for rights of all when it comes to employment or rights to marry who you want!

        East End for love of God end this one and if you don’t I hope other MLAs aren’t so crazy as to put him in charge of Ministry or worse, as Premier

    • Anonymous says:

      That would be illegal I believe. If they try then the UK would just dissolve parliment and call fresh elections.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Who the hell thinks correspondence between the Governor and the FCO is ever going to be disclosed. The Queens representative. No, never going to happen. Rule of law, simple.

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  9. KSS says:

    Arden’s starting his re-election campaign on our time & dollar.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Opposition had a meeting and the best they can come up with is ask for correspondence.

      Lord help us if they are the Government in waiting. Really scary stuff.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    “Following the governor’s statement, members of the official opposition met several times to discuss the matter and were now asking for the relevant correspondence with the UK to be made public.”

    Can the minutes of the opposition’s minutes and paper trail of the opposition’s coorespondece be made please?

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  11. JTB says:

    Looking at that photo, I’d expect the caption to be more along the lines of “McLean demands milk at his nap time and as much Boss Baby on the tv as he wants”

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    • Anon says:

      Disgraceful that in the year 2020 an apparently developed island with 30,000 expats from all over the world loving and investing in keeping the country prosperous for caymanians, can have such archaic backward incompetent politicians like those who voted against the bill and this opposition leader.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yes because Cayman is for the expats and the Caymanians should consider themselves lucky they are here

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      • Anonymous says:

        cool story…show these expats to us locals, gay or straight, as we have never met them here!

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    • JTB says:

      Who is this person pretending to be me?

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  12. Elvis says:

    Good lord just sit down will you

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Arden may be taking over Jon Jon’s coveted title as the dumbest MLA. Arden do us all a favor and please shut the hell up. You look and sound like a complete imbecile.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Let’s be honest after the donkey episode we all thought the title was in the bag for 2020. Who knew the competition would hot up so soon and with another 5 months to run it’s still anyone’s for the taking.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Arden: “lol say no my church bredrens, UK ga tek 30 years to impose it”

      Alden: “hoooo jeezasss it like unna na listening. Less than 30 days brudda. Watch.”

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yers because Alden told the UK they had his blessing – sellout, anyone can see what went done. How did he know 1 week unless he was privy to the discussion?

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        • Anonymous says:

          Wow, stupidity in abundance, I shouldn’t be surprised, yet I always am by many of this idiotic comments.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    “Following the governor’s statement, members of the official opposition met several times to discuss the matter ”

    Arden, for full transparency, please can you release the minutes of those meetings to the public

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  15. Anonymous says:

    He comes the parade!

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Why does King Canute come to mind? Is this going to be a pi$$ing contest to see who can be the most intolerant?

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  17. Anonymous says:

    So what is “transparency” going to do with the matter?

    Better that them 9 idiots who voted against the Bill become transparent or invisible in the next election!

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  18. Anonymous says:

    Sit your ass down Arden. paper trial?? Why have your constituents not asked you why you so upset about this and not about the high unemployment in your constituency.

    You do not think that you have gay people in your family. Think again, mister.

    This is not about emotions. It is about doing the right thing.

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    • SSM345 says:

      They are grasping for straws to appease their ignorant constituents who still live in the dark ages; they have to show some sort of face to them, after all, those are the people that keep woting them in……

      It would be great if all the MLAs explained to their constituents that they knew this would happen and there is more to come because of A, B and C, actually educate the, but no…..its better to waste time, yet again…..

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Alden and his Government need to go- Caymanians lets vote every single one of them out of office come election day-

    We are fed up with this Government

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  20. Zombie Jesus says:

    I really wish that Mclean and his ilk would just go away.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Some may have not heard of the Official Secrets Act. Yes, it is also applicable in the Cayman Islands.

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  22. Anonymous says:

    Oh come-on Arden…they’ve been oppressing for years and know better than to put true discussion in writing.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What oppressing has the UK done? It’s Cayman’s own government that has been selling out to billionaires trying to build the port and leaving the dump there for decades so we can breathe in it’s fumes AND failing to provide equal rights to a group in this country, andddddd I can go on and on.

      I think the UK is our best bet right now.

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    • SSM345 says:

      Oppressing? That dollar, tax free status and law that created this place, gave us the financial sector and security for big time investment is sooooooooooo oppressing.

      Its given CAYMAN OPPORTUNITY, if you are oppressed then you doing something wrong and might want to change it….perhaps start with your attitude and stop feeling sorry for yourself, then go from there.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    East End please send him packing

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    • Anonymous says:

      Or better yet, just keep him inside and tell him god needs him to do all work from his kitchen. In a muzzle. With no wifi.

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    • Anonymous says:

      He is hedging his bet that this issue will get him re-elected.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I intend to do my bit to this end.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I intend to do my bit too. For far too long this man has duped us. I voted for him the last election and several before that. However he can give as much turkeys and ham that he want in Christmas, my wife and I are not supporting him. Plus my daughter says he is a blowhard, a windless wonder.

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  24. JTB says:

    Naughty schoolboy demands headmaster’s files…

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  25. Anonymous says:

    1982 called – it wants its tie back.

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    • Anonymous says:

      It was calling to say that it doesn’t want it back at all. It’s had time to contemplate what it did in the past, and wants the tie to not come back.

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  26. Anonymous says:

    Transparency in government is good and should be more widespread.

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  27. Anonymous says:

    The Premier is the UK’s puppet, next we will be told that because of Covid 19 that the elections have been suspended and the Premier and his cronies can stay in power.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I am sorry but this is a stupid statement. The Premier and Governor have repeated many times that this is about upholding the rule of law. The appeals court, which is independent and there to ensure the constitution is upheld, determined the LA needed to ensure laws were in place to treat people fairly and equally. The LA refused and the Governor is now upholding the appeals court ruling. Your statement implies the Governor and Premier will break the law and there is no evidence of this at all. The only people showing they wish to not follow the law are those MLA’s who voted – No. The rule of law is of paramount importance. Without it Cayman is nothing but a banana republic!

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      • Anonymous says:

        12:23pm, This is what they keep failing to acknowledge; the ruling by the appeals court

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      • Anonymous says:

        Can the bio Button detect stupidity? If so, get nine and the contest runs until May 2021. Most stupid comments win. Jon-Jon you’ve got some really tough competitors out there🤔

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    • Anonymous says:

      The entire territory is a puppet of rhd UK. If you think otherwise you a fool.

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    • Al Catraz says:

      Hey, could you help me out with a simple question?

      What’s the name of the lady whose face is on all the money?

      Thank you.

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  28. Anonymous says:

    What a donkey

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    • Anonymous says:

      Listen, please be kind to Donkeys.

      As a matter of fact, you should apologize to all donkeys. At least they are hard working.

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      • Post Poned says:

        2.56pm They used to deliver the mail here and were very reliable. Now the PMG keeps half her staff at home on full pay whilst half our post offices are closed.

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        • Anonymous says:

          The Post Offices is a disgrace,Some are closed completely and others only for a few hours 3 days a week, c-virus was a God send for the PMG and her lazy so called workers

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          • Anonymous says:

            Took me an hour to get an express letter expedited. 6 people milling about behind the counter doing nothing.
            Who is in charge of training these people?

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  29. Anonymous says:

    I don’t know where Arden’s head is thinking that he can demand copies of the Governor’s correspondence, but luckily it was copied to me so here it is.

    Hey Ropes,

    Do your job.

    Love and hugs from Suggs

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    • Anonymous says:

      The reply.

      Hi Suggs,

      Done and dusted. Still can’t find a warm beer anywhere in Cayman to celebrate, and don’t get me started on the price of milk!

      The little chappie from the east says I shouldn’t be practicing any of Mr. Radley’s music on my steel pan, so by the end of the year I will have mastered Rule Brittania!

      Love you Ropes

  30. Anonymous says:

    It’s not your business anymore Arden. You had your chance and you knew full well what was going to happen. Thank God we are a Crown Colony with intelligent oversight to keep blowhards like you in your place. You used to be a good man. Now all i see is ignorant anger. All bluff and bluster. Be thankful they didn’t cram same sex marriage down your throat.

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  31. David S. says:

    ALDEN, PLEASE!

    How about you take the same noble stand as opposition Leader Arden McLean? Then we may believe that youre serious and not just letting off steam.

    Amen?

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    • Anonymous says:

      The Leader of the Opposition has every right to ask to see the correspondence! Don’t you want to know too? Also the Opposition should have been consulted by the Premier before bringing the motion. Apparently the petitioners had their opportunity to weigh in- so why the double standards?

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      • Anonymous says:

        The opposition had meetings all day Thursday. In spirit of transparency, can we see their minutes please

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  32. Listen here says:

    This man is like a f—g dog with a bone! WHT. Arden, you and your cronies MESSED UP. Okay? Unnah should have talked, each of you choose a RED LIGHT shortcoming and seek to amend those in committee state or whatever you all call it and then pass it with amendments. BUT NO! You all fumbled the &*#% ball and now you continue with this BS?! Lookya man, I don’t know about others, but I am FED UP with your bullish attitude. Sick of it. I hope to God that educated Caymanians under the age of 45 grab their jewels and give that district election options next year. Sick of you!

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  33. Anonymous says:

    Lol, when hell freezes over. An ugly disposition and stupidity are a bad combination.

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  34. Anonymous says:

    The opositon is fully responsible for this. How dumb can you be.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The Opposition? The Government brought the bill knowing they didn’t have the numbers to pass it. BLAME ALDENS poor leadership

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      • Anonymous says:

        Its cant be easy leading a bunch of self serving blowhards. Alden gets a pass on this one

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      • Anonymous says:

        I suspect Alden expected that enough of them would have the common sense to see that at that point the LA by was bound by law
        to put something in place. After this, I hope the older ones realize it is time to retire from legislating.

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      • David S says:

        Stop lying.All 19 are responsible.Opposition leader A McLean is at LEAST doing some damage control!

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  35. Anonymous says:

    Good luck with that

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    • Anonymous says:

      You don’t need a paper trail to see the obvious. The Gov said, well boys, if you don’t pass something that looks like the court’s order, the FCO/Privy council will do it without asking you for permission. Alden said, Bulgin, write me up something that looks like what the court ordered so I can show it to the Gov. Bulgin says here you go, the FCO helped me write it. Gov says back, the FCO tells me they’re all good and the PC may get off your back too. Alden says, ok I’ll put it to a vote but it won’t pass. Gov says good luck but you know what we said. Alden says, boys you better pass this or you may get something worse. They said screw you Alden, and here we are. What the Gov did is a long way from what they could do. It helps to remember that you are a small town that is part of a much larger country. In Arden’s case he should remember that he represents a small neighborhood of that small town. If you decide to go independent over this, expect troops.

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