Speaker refuses to lay PAC report on OfReg audit

| 02/11/2020 | 86 Comments
McKeeva Bush presiding over the LA on Friday

(CNS): A Public Accounts Committee report on its hearings about a damning report on government’s utilities regulator by the Office of the Auditor General was not presented to the Legislative Assembly on Friday, as expected, after the speaker refused to lay the document. In an unusual move, House Speaker McKeeva Bush said he had not had time to examine all of the “matters” connected to it. However, it is not clear under what rule Bush was able to prevent the report becoming public.

As PAC Chairman Ezzard Miller presented the committee’s annual reports to the LA, he noted the absence of a fourth report that had been placed on the business paper, and he sought assurances that it would be tabled as soon as possible.

CNS understands that this was the report on the committee’s hearings relating to the examination of an OfReg report by the auditor general during which the OfReg board chairman, Linford Pierson, made an angry appearance before the committee, attacked the auditor general and sought to place the blame for the regulator’s failings elsewhere.

However, despite the importance of, and public interest in, this report, the speaker said he had not had a chance to examine it. Bush said it had “matters connected to it” and Hansard records, all of which he had not had chance to read and so it could not “be laid as it stands”.

Miller asked Bush what standing order authorised him to refuse to lay a report of a standing committee.

The speaker did not identify a specific standing order, and instead said he had to verify it. “The speaker has to verify the report. You just can’t come because you are a committee and think you can lay a report that goes out public that has all matters connected to it, has all sorts of things said in it without the speaker having chance to examine the report,” Bush stated.

After the sitting Miller told CNS that while he could not comment on the specific report, given that it was not public, he questioned under what authority the speaker had declined to lay what should now be a public document.

“In my considered opinion, the speaker has no authority under our standing orders to remove an item of business from the order paper that has been placed there by the Standing Business Committee, regardless of his opinion of the report,” Miller said.

“Unfortunately, the effect of the speaker’s decision is that the only reports of the auditor general and the PAC that can be tabled in the future are those the speaker agrees with, and in my view that is an unacceptable position for the Legislative Assembly and the country,” he warned.

Watch the LA sitting, set to start at the relevant section, on CIGTV below:


Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Tags: , , , , ,

Category: Government oversight, Politics

Comments (86)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    Alden. Mac. Linford. All part of the old boys network of politicians. What are they hiding? Alden is the Minister responsible for OfReg. Linford is Chairman of OfReg. Mac is blocking the report on OfReg.

    I don’t know if the alternatives are any better (probably not), but vote them all out anyway!

  2. Anonymous says:

    😂😂 the 1% that is happy are probably Pierson, Mackeeva and whoever else is named in that particular Hansard or whatever the document is called.

  3. Enough is enough! says:

    Whether this bunch gets back in or not depends on whether OTHER eligible Caymanians who have a brain – and the successful career to back them up – decide to run for office. We need to stop this petty “I am not voting” attitude, and own our citizen duty to elect those who govern us. Let us call those people that we know have potential, and encourage them to run. Did you know, that each time they get re-elected, their salary increases? Yup, that’s right.

  4. Jacky Boatside from Ole Bush says:

    Babababuska covering for the Kurrupt hoard? Whats New? my question is where is our Dear Governor or champeeon of Justice and fairness and fighter of oppression of the downtrodden citizenry yes! absent again when it comes to matters that mean something our important for these islands.As my ole friend berry guanna would say What a Mess we in?

  5. Anonymous says:

    Boy it look like Eta getting tall still. Probly dat hurricane gonna capture da turtle dem and carry dem by town Bobo

    • Shrieker says:

      He’s been sitting at home for months on full pay, full pension and a full stomach yet he hasn’t had time to study reports?.

  6. Anonymous says:

    If the PPM torch has genuinely passed to Roy McTaggert, then perhaps he would be so kind as to lead this house in a new vote of no confidence in the Speaker and end his political aspirations…or does Roy also have something to gain by keeping that menace in his chair of power? What could be the excuse from the “money expert” to abide continuing maladministration of his hard work?!?

  7. Ambassador of Absurdistan says:

    Just Another Day in Absurdistan

    • Anonymous says:

      I continue to press the “happy” button on articles like this because CNS on longer provides LOL option. You just can’t make this stuff up.

  8. Anonymous says:

    TRUMP 2020!!!!!!!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Banana Republic.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Not even able to keep to a schedule – they broke for lunch today at 12.45pm to return at 2.15pm. Not unusual that now after 4.00pm and no return. Guess ‘working’ behind the scenes, stomachs full and nap time….

  11. Anonymous says:

    Was this speaker installed by the current government with Alden as the Premier? If so, what does it say about everyone involved in the process?

    • Anonymous says:

      In my opinion it says that they are all corrupt and unethical. In my opinion it says that they are only interested in getting and holding on to power. In my opinion it says that they are unfit for leadership.

      • Anonymous says:

        It would seem as though the majority agree with you.
        The one place that we should be able to resort for honest protection from these thugs must surely be with the Crown?
        Unfortunately, Martyn Roper has arrived here with no such agenda of actually helping the people.
        What has he given us? Steel pans and a military.
        I have absolutely no faith in Martyn Roper and the sooner he moves on to his next appointment, the better and God help wherever he plys his dubious trade next.

  12. ELVIS says:

    What a joke.
    Actually very embarrassing

  13. Anonymous says:

    He can do whatever the hell he want!! Who going stop him

  14. Anonymous says:

    Well Mac is back and up to his old tricks. The fossil should not even be sitting in the speakers seat much less hiding reports from the public. Can you imagine what would happen if these clowns ruled us? Governor do your damn job and rid us of these crabs.

    • Anonymous says:

      The Governor does not have the power.

    • Anonymous says:

      Has the Treasury collected the $6mil that was owed by the fugitive investor that the chairman was in bed with? Was that pushed under the rug? Can the W Bay Jesus release that info along with OfReg Report?
      People it’s time to rid these islands of Trump Pump and his ridiculous unity tricks.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Oil prices just dropped again but our gas is still priced high. Cuc set to up our bills by 7% in weeks and then probably again next June.

    Everyone in the CIG are corrupt.

  16. Anonymous says:

    That terrible man shouldn’t have the power to do anything. But he’s one of your own.

  17. Anonymous says:

    You get the government you deserve. Wasn’t expats that voted them in. Suck it up buttercups or do something about it. McK makes Trumpet look legit!

  18. Anonymous says:

    Isn’t this the last time they sit before the election? So no report until next year?

  19. Anonymous says:

    He seems confident that he will be acquitted of despicable crimes.

    • Anonymous says:

      Those who don’t know all the details are always quick to cast stones. Sit back and stand by while the big boys run the show.

      • Anonymous says:

        All details? Witnessed and recorded by many people! “Left handed” and “grapefruit juice” excuses are not going to fly here…
        Will see….

  20. Hubert says:

    Time for direct rule. Things are totally out of control in terms of financial accountability.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Election time aka the time when road projects are approved and bad reports are shelved

    Lull the PPM sheeple back to sleep

  22. Anonymous says:

    McKeeva Bush and Alden McLaughlin are two sides to of the same coin. Disgraceful and dishonest leadership blindly followed by yes men that need them to keep their jobs as mla’s

    • Anonymous says:

      Like it or not this is Caymanian politics. Always was, always will be. Bush is not the Premier any more but he will always be the Pirate King. Here no one is higher.

    • Anonymous says:

      I’m an MP now..Thank you!

    • Anonymous says:

      Has JuJu prayed about the Speakers unruly behavior? Has her Bible said to cast out the devil or embrace him?

  23. Anonymous says:

    If you had any doubt who is really in charge……………..

    • Anonymous says:

      alden is mckeeva’s puppy dog! he would never be a 2 term premier without his master. he knows it so does ppm

  24. Banana Republican says:

    McKeeva is protecting Alden and Joey’s ministries for their roles in the debacle called OFREG while also offering protection to its Chairman Linford Pierson. It is now clear why no one in the unity government objected to McKeeva’s return to the position of speaker. His job to bury and protect Alden and the unity team. None of them can point to the authority that allows such actions. Under this government Cayman is becoming a banana republic because of these ‘honorable’ people in the house that no longer represent us but special interests and incompetence.

    • Anonymous says:

      Where is our useless Governor now?…Rule of law.. Remember..Sad day for Cayman..Remember..

      Things are only done when it suits their cause. Mckeeva shouldn’t even be sitting there now but because our weak politicians are afraid of losing their seats, they put up with it tour detriment. Alden, as the Premier, should be ashamed of himself for allowing this to happen!

      • Anonymous says:

        The Governor has been stripped of most of his powers the past 10 years.

        • Anonymous says:

          He wasn’t stripped of anything. He gave it away, apparently without regard to the consequences.

          • Anonymous says:

            London gave our Legislature too much power and they used it in their own self interest. Sad but true.

        • Anonymous says:

          You are a fool if you believe any power has been stripped from the Governor..He is just like Alden and McKeeva and trust me he will wield that power whenever he feels like and trust me McKeeva has him in his back pocket too otherwise you would be hearing from him..

      • Big Bobo In West Bay says:

        Alden and McKeeva have very effectively wiped out most of the Governors power.

        Too bad because 20 years ago the Governor could have done something.

  25. Anonymous says:

    This is precedent setting and one more reason why people like McKeeva and Alden should not be allowed back into the hallowed halls of the Legislative Assembly.

    These guys believe they are above the law and can do as they please. It would good to hear what our good for nothing Governor has to say about the rule of law now..I’ll bet we won’t hear one peep out of him..

    • Anonymous says:

      He will get his knighthood for CP shortly. Is he concerned about the rule of law for us? Only them. What a mess! Are we asleep at the wheel? Sound the horn, the ship is heading for the reef.

  26. Bush's Alternate Reality says:

    And Eden wants to go independent…at least now any public servants charged with crimes like assault can continue on working instead of being sent home on administrative leave. Our “leaders” set the example, right?

  27. Anonymous says:

    What does Mr. Moxam have to say about the Speaker and his behaviour on this matter?

    • Anonymous says:

      I remember hearing and reading Johan’s views on Rooster and social media months ago. Some may not like his direct style but his consistency is appreciated. He pulls no punches unlike those beholden to McKeeva and Alden currently elected in the LA

    • Anonymous says:

      you should call and ask him if you really interested but why have you not asked all the ones now elected in parliament?

      • Anonymous says:

        Excellent response.

        10:51AM Johan has publicly listed his number numerous times. Why don’t you call and ask him yourself?
        But, yeah, why haven’t you asked all the ones in parliament now?

    • Anonymous says:

      You care about the view of a private citizen about the Speaker but not your current politicians. SMH

  28. JTB says:

    McKeeva showing once again just how ‘honourable’ he is

    • Chris Johnson says:

      I doubt if Bush will understand the content of the report when he sees it.

      It is just as well we have a formidable Auditor General. Nothing escapes her attention and she takes no prisoners.

    • Anonymous says:

      Cast him out come 2021. The man that has a brass face and no shame. How can our country survive with lunatics and fame seekers. When the music stops they will all stop dancing and being drunk.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Lol, Ezzie best try leave a copy on someone’s windshield.

Leave a Reply to Anonymous Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.