UK confirms Bush lost OBE over assault conviction

| 24/08/2023 | 105 Comments
Cayman News Service
McKeeva Bush when he was speaker of the House

(CNS): It has been confirmed that veteran MP McKeeva Bush (WBW) has lost his OBE as a result of his criminal conviction for assaulting the bar manager at Coral Beach Bar in February 2020. It was not, as he recently claimed, as a result of his decision to give up the royal gong because he was no longer comfortable holding such an award, given the legacy of the British Empire.

According to the UK Cabinet office’s newly published list of honours that have been revoked by the Sovereign, Bush forfeited his royal medal when he received his criminal conviction.

In October last year, CNS reported that the former premier and speaker’s OBE was under review by the forfeiture committee. But then, in a misleading public post on social media earlier this month, he claimed that he made the decision to give up the royal gong that he has held for 26 years because times had changed.

“I found myself conflicted about retaining an award that doesn’t promote Caymanian excellence but rather one that many people believe celebrated imperialism and perpetuated a system of class and privilege,” Bush said on his Facebook page.

He claimed he had formally written to the responsible bodies in the UK to return the royal gong. However, the list states quite clearly that the honour was revoked because of criminal offences and not because of Bush’s change of heart over the medal’s connection to the British Empire and the negative legacy of Cayman’s colonial masters.

Section of today’s edition of The Times

Share your vote!


How do you feel after reading this?
  • Fascinated
  • Happy
  • Sad
  • Angry
  • Bored
  • Afraid

Category: Crime

Comments (105)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Girls are players too says:

    Non are so reprehensible as those who prop up a failed and despicable leader ! Those sitting at home funding political operatives and buying influence are just as bad !

    14
  2. JTB says:

    So you’re saying McKeeva lied?

    Colour me shocked.

    19
  3. Anonymous says:

    Me: Passing out holding my breath waiting for Wayne to do SOMETHING!!!!!

    22
    1
  4. Anonymous says:

    @4:01 pm Kindly realize for discussion’s sake. If the Cayman Islands already have its own people/Caymanians, with a certain “character” would it be off any logic or sense or the best interest of our islands, to also give “rights” to expats/immigrants with similar or other questionable character to obtain the “rights to be Cayman”ian 🧐🥺?!

    1
    18
  5. Anonymous says:

    Me thinks Mckeeva is on track to be the first face carved into the side of mount trashmore, even if his likeness may be indistinguishable from the heap itself at a distance (feature not flaw?).
    I think it would be a sincere monument to his contribution to caymankind. Maybe not our best and brightest but for sure west bay’s finest. good job bayers!😂

    15
  6. Anonymous says:

    Chickens coming home to roost for Cayman’s Baby Trump

    15
  7. Elvis says:

    Just an embarrassment to Cayman simple

    69
  8. Anonymous says:

    Of course Big Mac deserves everything that comes to him, we all reap what we sow.

    However, it shouldn’t be overlooked that King Chuckie hasn’t made any profound public statements regarding his – lets just say – compromised brother Randy Andy. The Royal Family itself is far from a role model of ethical behavior.

    As to the even bigger picture – FFS, anyone with Caymanian Status by way of residency (i/e not simply turn up and buy it) should be allowed to stand for election. The Caymanian poeple are not doing ourselves any good by continuing this sham of an electoral pool of non-talent and frankly, weirdos.

    let Full Status residents stand. The pool of intellect and experience in this country is extraordinary. the problem is 99% of it is barred from helping. There are a lot of folk who have made plenty and are willing to step in by stepping back from professional life for a term or 2 to guide this country forward. the protectionism is shortsighted and will hurt us even more than it is.

    92
    30
    • Anonymous says:

      You don’t really understand what will happen if eligibility to run for office is expanded to more recent arrivals. Your idea simply results in the complete takeover of Cayman by the dominant Jamaican sector of the population. Tread carefully because that is a dangerous path.

      34
      1
      • Anonymous says:

        Correct. And no one understands this better than McKeeva and his Jamaican handlers. Orchestrators of the Dec 2003 mass status free for all.

        20
        • Anonymous says:

          Speaking on Status, i am most certain all Members in the House 2003, gave Statuses.And how in the World did the Government didnt know our Island would go to Shambles, if every Child Born here is a Caymanian, Sorry we are Not the United States

      • Anonymous says:

        We not close to that already?

        4
        1
        • Anonymous says:

          Yes, the wealthy white Jamaicans generously funded friendly politicians, Jamaica style.
          In return they got Status through Cabinet grant for themselves and their children, and Scholarships for university for their Grand children.
          The less rich Jamaicans were given mass status and sold “is our time now” politics to vote for certain politicians.
          Kenneth, Seymour and Saunders are now riding that wave to the destruction of Cayman.

          13
    • Anonymous says:

      Comparing Mac with the King is a stretch.

      16
    • Anonymous says:

      I agree that he should have had his OBE withdrawn and further think that the Constitution should be changed to disallow anyone who has been found guilty of such crime from becoming an elected person ever again. I didn’t believe that he just handed it back. Better if he hadn’t mentioned it instead of lying about it.

      21
      • Anonymous says:

        Then I know one Englishman who better give his MBE back…
        Convicted but survives since then through many non disclosure agreements with all subsequent screwees.

        6
        1
      • Anonymous says:

        Also those with criminal convictions should not be eligible for government contracts..

        12
  9. Anonymous says:

    a fine representation of the caymanian electorate….
    welcome to wonderland where the best and brightest in society cannot run for office…….zzzzzzzzzz

    94
    68
    • Anonymous says:

      Flights out every day. I’ll bet you the cost of a one-way to MIA that you won’t leave.

      84
      56
      • Anonymous says:

        And you do realise we Caymanians agree with the OP? You think just because you’re a local you must bow down to bush? Hope you enjoy that refrigerator while it lasts.

        32
        61
      • Anonymous says:

        Downvote it all you want, it’s still the truth.

        73
        6
        • Anonymous says:

          Lol …. Ok dunce

          1
          22
        • Anonymous says:

          Bet you another ticket to MIA says that you simpletons don’t even realize this is the same poster as 2:09 and that the comment was referring to downvoting the fact that there are flights out every day yet people won’t leave. 😂

          20
          1
      • Anonymous says:

        Don’t you want better for your Islands than what is currently on offer? Do you wanted convicted criminals in charge? Do you want teachers performing half-assed exorcisms? Do you want your children to be barely able to read and write at 15 and 16 years of age? Do you want your politicians (term used loosely) granting themselves 16% pay rises while there are Caymanians living in abject poverty? If you DO want all that, then you should be ashamed to call yourself Caymanian.

        57
        58
      • Anonymous says:

        ha…classic caymanian ‘like or leave it’ attitude.
        zzzzzzzzzzz

        12
    • Anonymous says:

      This is not actually true. You have a passport you can run. If they say you can’t challenge it in a court room. The UK will definitely be looking for a better voting pool now. That’s for sure.

      8
      70
      • Anonymous says:

        to 2.25 The UK surely needs to improve their pool of candidates. Can somebody say Boris Johnson or Liz Truss?. Maybe these on here who think they are so Superior should go back home to the UK and offer their ‘superior’ service there.

        60
        6
        • Anonymous says:

          Agreed, and I’d go so far as to say that since it is evident they are incapable of self-governing, perhaps we should consider putting the UK under Cayman’s direct rule for a couple years until they get their affairs in order.

          (Am I doing this right?)

          11
      • Anonymous says:

        You are wrong.

        Besides, there is nothing wrong with the likes of Marco Archer, Wayne Panton, Andre Ebanks, Ezzard Miller and Winston Connolly.

        You may not like their politics – but they are honest straight shooters with intellect and integrity.

        The issues arise with a section of the electorate – including a large number granted status by Mac himself.

        18
        2
        • Anonymous says:

          You were on the right track until you wasted 12 characters on Ezzard Miller.

          5
          10
        • Anonymous says:

          Wayne – straight shooter with integrity? Who cut a deal with MacBeater so he could be Premier? Who allows Kenny to run amok with the publics money to ensure he can stay Premier? Who practically every week announces some environmental policy or commitment, then does absolutely nothing as the CPA and their developer friends concrete Cayman – passing lightly over watching his own government members vote to ignore the law and cabinet collective responsibility and waive an EIA for the East West extension? Hell, I think he even voted for it himself, given the vote was unanimous. Straight shooter my left foot. Talks a good game, but his commitment to bein Premier is way stronger than his commitment to principles.

          8
          7
      • Anonymous says:

        This is actually true. People just don’t like the idea of it.

        1
        10
      • Anonymous says:

        I think that this is correct also. If you have citizenship, you should be able to run for office. Your a citzen. Why would you not be able to represent your passport?

    • Oh do shut up. says:

      You are certainly not the best and you are definitely not the brightest.

      Even whilst hidden behind a veil of anonymity, the stark ugliness and the utter uselessness and inability of your mentality to be beneficial for any societal cohesion and/or better way forward for Cayman has exposed you.

      You and those like you are the most insularly concerned, ludicrously sanctimonious and contemptuously conceited group of odiferous asshats present upon the surface of this rock, and that is saying something.

      Your delusions of entitlement indicate the bilious stank of a completely unfounded superiority complex. Do try to find some kind of professional help with whatever flavour of narcissistic personality disorder you are plagued with. It is almost comical, sad really.

      The only thing you and those like you are actually capable of doing is projecting your own inadequacies on others whilst you strut around like a pigeon on a chess board and fool yourself into thinking that you are any more beneficial to Cayman and her interests and/or wellbeing than the FFB himself.

      Fact is, you and those like you who obviously share so many self-prescribed delusions of self-importance with a certain once wigged pig that it leaves one with the surety that just like him the best thing you and those like you can and/or could for Cayman is to shut up, go away and stay away.

      None of you who share such a heinously malicious conceit have the slightest clue of what a valid and sustainable democracy is, could be, or needs to be in order to recognize, address and rectify the issues which Cayman has to contend with.

      People like you do not deserve to be a member of the electorate or to run for elected office and that is your doing.

      You are the weakest link.

      Goodbye.

      59
      10
      • Anonymous says:

        ‘oh shut up’ – thank goodness you’re not ‘the anti hero’ in writing transglobally followed break up songs, jeesh

        11
      • Anonymous says:

        Lots of words adding nothing to what 2:09 said in two sentences.

        7
        1
      • Anonymous says:

        hello.
        truth hurts?
        btw what is an asshat?

        • Red Shank Duppy says:

          Hyeeeee,

          Here’s what you do to find out:

          On the first of September 2023 make your way into George Town and at the strike of high noon walk up to the Glass House wearing nothing but an ostrich feather tutu and an orange traffic cone on your head, for identification purposes of course. Stand and face one of the Glass House windows from exactly four feet and two inches away. Now, the distance is very important so bring an accurate tape measure with you. Then, and only then, close your eyes and stand on one leg until you hear the code word “google-dee-gaw” whispered quietly into the left side of your right ear.

          See you there.

          Byeeee.

    • Anonymous says:

      Best and brightest! We do not know that as a fact. No matter how bright and best you think you are I think you are over compensating with your condescending speak. As the saying goes “We don’t want to swap “dog for monkey.”

      10
      1
  10. Anonymous says:

    This is your guy Wayne, the one who you propped up to form your Govt. With that dereliction from moral duty is it any wonder there’s problems internally with the PACT Govt, – disgraceful

    79
    12
    • oh come off it says:

      The Progrerssives would have gladly made a deal with him if they could have grabbed power for themselves.

      55
      20
      • Anonymous says:

        Except the part where they refused to and it cost them power, there is that.

        21
        22
        • Anonymous says:

          Nope. They saw that even with him, they wouldn’t have the number needed. As you say, “there is that…”

          6
          2
        • Anonymous says:

          and the part where they refused to initiate any action before the election because they were so smug which was the catalyst to them losing their power

        • Anonymous says:

          They thought they didn’t need to – thought they had Kenny Chris and Jay in their pocket. Outbid by Wayne.

          10
          1
          • Anonymous says:

            Fool. Everyone except you knows that Jay was going wherever Mac would be accepted. Turn out that Wayne was the only one willing to accept him.

            5
            3
        • Anonymous says:

          [citation needed]

          6
          1
  11. Anonymous says:

    So he is a Liar, a Criminal, and a Justice of the Peace?

    98
    • Anonymous says:

      For the sake of the dignity of all JPs, this man should have his ‘JP’ replaced with HMP.

      61
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      Requirements are:

      3. (1) A nominee for appointment as a Justice of the Peace shall –
      (a) be eighteen years or older;
      (b) be literate and have a good command of the english language;
      (c) be capable of exercising sound judgement;
      (d) be of good character; and
      (e) not have a criminal record nor be an undischarged bankrupt

      Not just the criminal record that’s a problem 😉

      71
      • Cheese Face says:

        1 outa 5 ain’t bad!

        51
        1
        • Anonymous says:

          It would be interesting if all JPs refused to serve until the appointment is removed from MacKeeva.
          The inconvenience to hundreds who line up every week at the govt offices would be unkind… so it would never happen.

          21
          • Anonymous says:

            except that with solidarity upholding values of decency there’s no reason why not and why they shouldn’t. Look at the fall out from Spains Womens National team incident.

  12. Anonymous says:

    What a scumbag

    102
  13. Anonymous says:

    No wonder we’re still bouncing between the FATF grey and black lists with this degenerate still in our Cabinet.

    81
    6
  14. Anonymous says:

    First person to act should be Wayne Panton! Remove this disgraceful man from your side of the aisle. Why does he continue to sit with the Government ?

    92
    1
    • Anonymous says:

      until everyone decides to get rid of them choosing who is in charge this will never happen. everyone on these islands should vote for one premiere.

      20
  15. Obe One Caynobe says:

    Very exclusive clubs:

    12 – Number of people who had their awards revoked in August 2023.

    12 – Number of men who have walked on the moon.

    35
    2
  16. Abby Normal says:

    Bush league.

    43
    3
  17. Anonymous says:

    too late charlie…he already gave it up!
    take that, you just got out witted cayman style…!

    6
    118
    • CaymanGirl says:

      The article is confirming that contrary to what McBeater has publicly claimed that he relinquished his honour it was taken away by the U.K. government so he’s not outsmarted anyone!

      127
      3
    • Anonymous says:

      You can’t fire me I quit – that’s your idea of outwitting? Bottom line – he had an OBE, he beat a woman, he doesn’t have an OBE anymore ( but does have a criminal record). Yep – sounds like razor sharp out wits going on there.

      46
      4
    • Anonymous says:

      looks like you are the one “outwitted” Bobo

      16
      3
    • Anonymous says:

      That’s what he wants you to think. But in publishing that, he just displayed one of so many more reasons why he should be stripped doesn’t of any title or position of authority.

  18. Anonymous says:

    What a loser.
    How can the government deny expats the right to be Cayman based on what they call “bad character” when this is the “character” that Caymanians endorse with their votes.

    102
    26
  19. Anonymous says:

    What a disgrace. Yet he’s still allowed to hold a position in government. Says a lot about us really.

    166
    3
  20. Anonymous says:

    Still waiting for my kitchen appliances and CuC vouchers

    104
    1
  21. Anonymous says:

    But still good enough to be caymanian mla!
    any comment wayne or governor???

    115
    1
    • Anonymous says:

      He has yet again brought international shame on Cayman.
      We still want his name to be associated with us…?….Shame on us.

      94
      1
    • Sir Humphrey says:

      11:38, McKeeva is there because of the elected will of the people.

      If the Governor was to do or say anything she would be severely criticized by the Caymanian people.

      Best thing would be for West Bay people to vote him out but they love the man. They vote him in election after election.

      It is not the role of the Governor to reject the democratic will of the people.

      Caymanians are the ones who need to take action but McKeeva’s colleagues fear him so it just goes on and on.

      20
  22. Anonymous says:

    HE the Governor should now direct that he be removed from the Roll of Justices of the Peace in accordance with the Justices of the Peace Regulations 2015, 10 (4) (b), (c) and (f).

    Good riddance!!!

    191
    1
    • Anonymous says:

      you forgot 10(2)

      36
      2
    • Anonymous says:

      It’s remarkable that he is still a listed JP in good standing. Even more astonishing that convicted criminals remain eligible for positions of high office, representing people, deciding policy, and handling money. Walking Proof as a Speaker of the House that the Nolan Principles and Standards in Public Life yet to be applied!

      24
    • Johnny Canuck says:

      11:20, Why the Governor? It should be the Members Of Parliament that do that.

      They have the power.

      Geez, what a spineless and gutless group.

      They simply have no moral compass.

      But McKeeva has the goods on most of them so ultimately this is why they do nothing.

      Really think we should have direct rule from Father. We are basically political children.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Well deserved.

    80
  24. Anonymous says:

    What do his supporters say now????

    99
    2

Leave a 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.