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.”
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
That awful photograph of her and the contempt it has rightly engendered is enough of a punishment. She’s a silly woman, let’s move on.
time to put this to bed now
I disagree with the DPP on this one..If I am caught doing this by a Police officer and I go to court, I could plead not guilty as it was only me and the Police officer there and there is no way to prove that I was physically there, ie no photo’s or videos..yet where proof in the form of time dated video is provided there is nothing to pursue a charge on..
Had the DPP said they couldn’t tell if it was her in the video (which you clearly can) I might have a slight agreement with him..This just goes to show that some people politically connected with party in power will always have their way..
Her own husband said “stay home” in so many languages but it is quite obvious that either she did not watch or listen to him..
Takes a big and honest man/woman to admit wrong. All it would have been was a fine..She should have just paid the fine, apologized so that we could move on but like most politicians they know Caymanians are soft hearted and will forget about it before next election…
John John, times are a changing and like America, people are standing up to the government to invoke change…If I were you, I wouldn’t take Caymanians for granted much more…
Things that make you go hmmmm…
What’s good for the goose clearly isn’t good for the gander
The DPP has indicated that there is Insufficient evidence for conviction in the curfew-breach case. This is good news for Mrs. Seymour but I suspect that many people will still have questions about the evidence collected and the quality of the investigation conducted by the RCIPS. In the minds of most people the RCIPS should have been able to independently determined the date when the picture was taken. They should also have been able to determine the location where the picture was take, the individuals in the picture, and most importantly, if all of the individuals in the picture live in the same household.
It would appear from the decision made by the DPP that the RCIPS investigation was not able to establish the basic facts of the situation.
The RCIPS should not be releasing statements on behalf of the DPP. The DPP should release their own statements as it relates to decisions to prosecute or not to prosecute. The RCIPS needs to simply speak to the conclusion of any investigation that they have undertaken.
The statement released by the RCIPS add no clarity to the matter that was under investigation and it might have been better if they had said nothing about the matter.
6.17am DPP did release a statement.
CNS: The DPP did not release a statement. They did answer inquiries sent to him by the Compass.
Minister better go repent and as for Jesus forgiveness
Other than the clear video evidence !!?
Totally pathetic.
Either leaned on, or self preservation from a ball-less DPP ( or both).
Either way this just undermines the whole pretense of justice.
And adds fuel to fires of the growing number that fear we are quickly becoming a corrupt banana republic (without any bananas).
Come on guys, enough. The DPP, a respected senior lawyer who as far as I’m aware nobody believes has an agenda, has confirmed what we grownups thought all along, namely that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute but that if any more emerged, they’d revisit. So there’s nothing more to see here, conspiracy theorists, however much you wish there were.
There can only not be enough evidence if she is either innocent, or the police did not look hard enough…
I agree with all except your last sentence. Why should WE accept it? I am Caymanian and have nowhere to leave to…
Why you keep saying that about no where to go…most of you are half breed like myself.You have the Mother country and any other country your mother father,grand parents,great great grand parents came from.The same way people come here and claim status on family connections,you can too,in a other country of your desendants.just saying.
Imagine thinking she was going to get charged. It’s not in the interest of any of those making and enforcing the laws to actually be subject to them. That’s just good bourgois politics.
So annoyed that our Government’s plan for recovery is…they get full pay, they do not help tourism, they do not open borders, they do not give a fig if you and your children starve, they do not care if you get evicted, or die from anything other than Covid.
Apparently, they are working hard and deserve $15k a month. They have bills, you selfish out of work people! Too bad you lost your life savings, they have commitments to pay for! Their Subzero is nearly out of ice cream. Shame on all of us for denying our MLAs the fillet mignon that they deserve!
The “hon” e. miller, (lower caps intended) dared to yell at me yesterday at a retail store, after I let him go ahead on the line, as I was called by the cashier and approaching the counter, he was still wrapping his stuff, taking his sweet time, he saw me approaching and began yelling loudly, as he wanted to be heard and noticed, that I “should stay six feet away from him and wait until he finished packing his stuff”, I did stop and told him not to yell at me and to watch his voice. Just another example of how big and entitled to do as they wish, they think they are.
I will vote for any sane, educated person. This virus is not Ebola. It is not going away. We need a plan. Some real leadership. Not just overpaid politicians hiding under the bed.
You assume any will be running. Bold assumption.
No one who was not committing a secondary offense should be prosecuted. It it is a waste of time and money, and benefits no one. The whole lockdown is legally questionable. Our own government does not know the laws they are requiring the public to abide by. Alden said yes you can fish from a sail boat with a motor. Two days before the police commissioner said no sail boats. If they cannot keep it straight how are we expected to do so. Oh…ignorance is no excuse, unless you are a politician.
If, however, Mrs. Seymour gets a pass, and other similarly guileless persons are forced to go to court, and/or pay one penny in fees, CIG is opening themselves up to major litigation.
Is DPP backing off after that gold case debacle before the break down where there was apparently no evidence of a crime and they prosecuted anyway ?
I think this needs to go to the Ombudsman to be sure there was no interference.
Hear hear, an Audit is required.
I guess his story about Jesus and Marie ridding the donkey instead of a horse… really paid off.
Holy crap, Cindy! You need to go back to school. But yes, there is definitely a donkey or two in this story.
Turned out to be the best story ever.
It was the trainer that was breaking curfew…not the wife?
She’s a sacred wessel! You can’t touch her!
That was the previous wife. Ironic really.
The wife of a tribal leader can not be prosecuted. Tribal immunity.
How can they prosecute anyone if the Health Minister’s wife is let off?
Everyone who gets prosecuted should file lawsuit against the Prosecution office as there is def bias in Caymans prosecutors office. We see it time and time again. They will run the poor into the ground but turn a blind eye to some.
This makes no sense. Was Mrs Seymour interviewed? DPP/COP disclose details of her police interview so the public can see responses to questions posed. Where was that photo of you taken? When was it taken? What is the name of the personal trainer in the photo with you? How many times since shutdown on 18 March did you participate in training activities with your personal trainer? Let us see details of the personal trainer’s statement or interview and his responses to the same 4 questions?
That gives the facts as to whether there is a case as I doubt they would both lie to the police. The commissioner need to come to the press briefing tomorrow armed with these details and the rcips statement of facts of case to share with the public.. or cns do an foi.
Once this information is disclosed we will know if the DPP is shielding Mrs Seymour and arguably the personal trainer from prosecution or the police purposely did a botched job….sending a rubbish file forward.
Lmao in what world do the police release witness interviews to the public?
You doubt they would lie to the police? You understand they are not obliged to say anything to the police – when was that video taken? No comment Simple as that. Its not an offence to refuse to answer police questions – it just that if you don’t answer the question, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. If the video had been deleted and theres no meta data available and Mrs Seymour refuses to say anything …..
It may be bias but it def looks like corruption.
Can this help as a precident all the non-connected folks who have been charges with curfew offences?
Only if you’r part of or know someone in the Tribe. Simple rules really.
If you get prosecuted for a social media video you can definitely cite this case as precedent. Otherwise, probably not
The Commissioner of Police has now joined the loss of respect club along with the Health Minister. For him to think he can dismiss the charge in a case of overwhelming national interest, without any explanation, is an insult to every citizen and a grave error of judgement.
🕵🏽♂️🚔 Police investigates.
⚖️The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions makes decision to prosecute. or not.
Boing Boing
The commissioner is not able to dismiss charges, he doesn’t have that authority. Get your facts straight.
It certainly is
Shut up, that is Caymanian Royalty you are speaking about – wash your mouth out with soap!
That is a disgusting comment.
Forgive them Honorable Minister
Maybe the Commissioner of Police will have to get on an evacuation flight “GO HOME’…Can I put Min.Seymour forward…he will be able to tackle gangland hits, pension fraud, and any vessel lost at sea. I arrest thee in the name of the father, Uncle Alden, and the Wholee Goat, by the time he has finished his diatribe the purp will be free to go under the statue of limitations..
Although I dont know the Minister or his wife, I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that there is something very wrong with both of them. First of all, who in their right mind bestows upon themselves the title ‘First lady’! It speaks to who she really thinks she is. The consequences of this mindset and the fact that her husband thought it was perfectly fine, was unfortunate. Posting a link of her exercising with her trainer in the midst of lockdown during Covid was very poor judgement. I am sure his constituents are not all so blessed in the good times let alone the bad to have a personal trainer. It’s just ill-advised whether it was before covid and worse during a lockdown and even worse if she broke the law to do it. Now lets turn to the ministers reaction to being asked a perfectly reasonable question about the timing of the exercise session: Berating and threatening a reporter and suggesting she would have to be brave to ask. Why do you have to be brave? It suggests she’s facing some grave danger. It’s really not acceptable and Alden having to step in to apologize for his remarks, the Minister himself using scripture to tell of persons for giving negative feedback and then the final insult of the abrupt notice that she will not be prosecuted end of story, speaks volumes. All so poorly handled. Alden you sit at the top please act like it and do something about this PR disaster.
So many complaining about “one rule for them one rule for us,” but the funny thing is, if this were a regular civilian, there would have been no investigation in the first place. I’m not aware of anyone else being prosecuted for a curfew breach based solely on a social media video.
RCIPS really need to explain this decision immediately, before they spaff every last drop of their credibility & authority up the wall.
It is The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions should explain, not RCIPS.
RCIPS COP can question the decision of the DPP office, so try again.
decision of the DPP could be subject to judicial review
4:50 No he can’t, he and his team investigate and it’s the DPP office that makes the decision. So you try again, fool
Clearly RCIPS employee.
Doubtful, Anonymous can spell. RCIPS can’t right.
May 8, 2020
👮🏾♀️ “Police have completed their investigation into allegations of curfew breaches levelled against Tiffany Seymour 🤸🏽♂️, wife of Health Minister Dwayne Seymour last month.
The file will now head to the ⚖️ Director of Public Prosecutions to review and issue instructions on what action to take, if any, on the case.”
June 3,2020
“ ….RCIPS has confirmed there would be no prosecution…”
Did the file go to DPP? If so it was DPP’s decision not prosecute.
4:29 The head of DPP made an announcement about not prosecuting her, the Cayman Compass posted it. It was definitely their decision, not RCIPS
If the Ombudsman can self initiate an investigation of police officers conduct in arresting the dirt bike rider because the video of the incident on social media created a public interest, surely she has the authority to initiate an investigation of the far more troubling perception due to social media circulation of a video implying that that the police, the DPP or both are not prosecuting a case also because of political sensitivity or interference.
It looks like artificial turf in the picture. Does DS have that in his yard?
It really looks like a photo from the playing field!
I believe the photo was from before the Lock down.
If that is true he should have just said so. Exif data from the photo would support that also, assuming it was taken using a phone etc.
Silence, on the other hand, speaks volumes (“I gotta cast-iron alibi but I’m not telling you it”)..
Did the Minister’s wife cooperate with the investigation, or not? Fair question?
I dont
When something like this happens with a sitting minister and its in the public domain its in the public interest to understand why this matter is being handled the way it has been. This is particularly so if the minister has literally aided in the drafting of the law that his wife is being accused of breaking. You cant just threaten persons asking questions and expect it to go away. This is why so many no feel that the law should no longer apply to them either or why those fined, shouldn’t have to pay fines. It’s only natural that persons should feel this way and Alden of all persons should understand why the commissioner of police should provide a reasonable explanation as to why this was not a matter to be prosecuted.
Well at least she is getting exercise. Maybe her husband should do the same. Oh and exercising his mouth speaking all those foreign languages (badly) doesn’t count!
So why would the police have referred the incident to the legal department?
Which is really the key issue – when was it taken, not when was it posted. CMR did not post the video itself, just the screen shot, but they did state that in the video the trainer is wearing a face mask.
Exactly, you can’t prove when it was taken based on the instagram upload. And if the original video was deleted…well
What is good for the goose is good for the gander. All nannies should be allowed back to work. How is a nanny working with one family more dangerous than a trainer touching a sweating adult? Or frontline, grocery, retails and restaurant workers coming into contact with thousands of people a day including children?
Not all of us can afford a nanny and prefer our kids to go to an early childhood development.
Pure hypocrisy by Govt to keep the island locked down for no reason and the businesses go under
The same person that got her into that mess is seen outside the prison trying to interview them, wearing no mask and no reason to be there! Why wont she face the consequences as well?
Why would you wear a mask outside? It’s just like the weirdos I see exercising with a mask on.
It’s also like the weirdos driving in their cars by themselves wearing a mask. 🙄 Who are you protecting? The seats??
You dont understand obviously. The same woman interviewing prisoners about 3 feet away with no mask on and no reason to be there, should be prosecuted as well. Idiot
The person that got her into the mess was her – no one made her exercise with a trainer, no one made her put the video on the net. If I see you breaking the law and tell the police, am I the one that got you into trouble, or is it your own fault?
No one would have known, it was only because of SH, the same person that hates DS with a passion. I am saying if this person was so concerned why is she at the prison with no reason to be there and not wearing a mask and putting then at risk! Trust me I care more about those prisoners than S.H!
time to get over this now and move on to getting pass the disease that is killing us
ta, ta
Or not killing us, as the case may be. Because if it was as lethal as you suggest, then surely we should be taking any breach of soft curfew very seriously indeed.
No one has died from COVID in Cayman! How is it killing us apart from economically and mentally?
I would have bet my last real paycheck that this would happen. I would also bet all my last years pay checks that Bush will also get off. Cayman Islands is still a tribalistic island. Your either in the tribe or not in the tribe. You’r either still getting a paycheck or not getting a paycheck. You’r either still following the rules or your not following the rules. Your either contributing to the tribes fundmenow account or your getting payments from it. This is the way of Cayman islands then, now, and in the future. It will not change. You can either accept it and make it work for you or leave.
“Do as I say, not as I do” is the old adage of hypocrisy and this is what is happening here. It is a very sad day when we are left with the caliber of leadership that allows and condones this.
It also creates a vacuum of authority and credibility for future decisions which will be so crucial. It was easy stopping the economy. Quote a few laws and bring in the police to enforce them. Create an environment of fear and the populace will comply.
It will be a lot tougher to get it started again when there is a complete lack of real strategy and direction. Case in point is the Minister of Tourism’s waffle plan with absolutely no substance to it which gives guidance of dates, phases, etc.
We need strong leadership which is capable of working with the private sector to come up with a common sense approach to reopening Cayman’s economy to the outside world. Alden has debased himself on this and now needs to make some changes in who he is prioritising. As we move from a public health issue to an economic one, as recognised by the rest of the world, we need more focus on the economic drivers that will get us back up and running.
So, once again we see the double standard — one standard of justice for the elite who clutch the levers of power, and another standard for the rest of us. Cayman “democracy” — what a sham. They should all be thrown out at the next election opportunity.
I wouldn’t put John John in the elite class..not worthy
All that was needed was a statement of why the First Lady would not be charged.
Without that we can all assume the worst.
I’m pretty sure no-one is surprised by this lack of action, and as anyone with children knows, if they tell the truth, and show remorse, you can forgive them for most anything. The thing that bites is when they lie and try to cover things up, in adults that shows a lack of moral fiber and someone I would never trust. I know I’m going to open myself up for derision, but is there no internal process for ministers who lie to the PM. Alden stated on record that he was told there was no breach by DS, yet, when the ‘evidence’ is under your nose is that not enough for an HR review, not against Mrs Seymour, but the individual lying about it?
Yet the police would look at a mentally challenged person and give that person a ticket for 500 dollars. How in the world can they expect a person like that to pay 500 dollars? Just being plain wicked and want to get another unfortunate Caymanian thrown into prison. That’s all that is! Yet this XXXXX can break the law and post it on social media for all to see and nothing is done about it. Really! Just pure corruption. I guess the police commissioner says we can’t bring any charges against her because she is the wife of the minister of health and I have to be on these press breifings with him and that would not look good for me.
Kakistocracy: A system of government that is run by the worst, least qualified and/or most unscrupulous citizens.
The current UNITY government led by Premier Alden McLaughlin with such luminaries in Cabinet including Dwayne Seymour Joey Hew, Tara Rivers, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Moses Kirkconnell, Roy McTaggart and the highly paid bobble heads on the government backbench Austin Harris, David Wight, Eugene Ebanks and Barbara Connolly are best described as members of the Cayman Kakistocracy.
Time has come to vote them all out in 2021.
vote them out and vote who in?
Alden has done well in his management of this crisis at least. I would much rather have him and Mckeeva and his corrupt bunch of cronies back in. Can you imagine how bad things would have gotten under McKeeva?
FYI – Alden McLaughlin and McKeeva Bush are the co-leaders of the coalition government called the government of National UNITY. They need each other now and support each other now. In fact, the PPM operates no differently than Mr. Bush’s UDP party. The same scams are run, promises made to the same facilitators of questions projects, legislation and government policies. Understand it is the same political financiers that are looked after. They control the politicians in this government. These individuals and businesses are afforded the same protections or favors once they make the necessary donations, provide services and side deals which fuel the greed and corruption of the politicians and public officials. Follow the money…
Please no more Mac UDP behind closed doors shady deals .
#JOEYWHO is the new big mac but dumber and less man of the people. He works for the elite the handlers are pulling his chain and sponsoring his community giveaways
Citizen voters can petition the Governor to dissolve the LA and call elections immediately, or at any time. We might have attempted to voice objections when the Unity regime was first formed. Or now, witnessing bizarre collusions. We don’t need to wait…but to be replaced with what/whom? We fundamentally need to change the flavour of Caymanians that are allowed to serve their island state by modifying the elections law and constitution. Some of the perennial background supporting characters need to go as well. We can’t be holding our breath for the Unity Regime to lead that charge, or waiting four years to say “vote them out” again!
Wait till you see how they let off Big Mac as it is the charges that were proposed are all small charges that if found guilty will not go on his record so he will be free to run again. And I am sure that he will..
OMG! I really hope not.
Didn’t the lady which was assaulted leave the country? That way the case will get dismissed.
All of them need to be voted out
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
I hope not to be bothered while I take some time to practice socialising instead of social distancing.
Talk about hypocrites and double standards.
Welcome to the Cayman Islands.
All of the people responsible for destroying lives and selectively applying laws and regulations to benefit politically connected persons will be in one place at 2Pm on Friday.
Perhaps it’s time for a peaceful protest to get their boots off our necks. A little civil disobedience goes a long way in checking overreaching authority.
Few, if any, comments on mental health of children, education, growing # of hungry people, interrupted treatments due to lockdowns and other serious issues.
Just click on “ local” tub here and you’ll see mostly zero comments. Why? Nothing to gossip about?
I wouldn’t pay $300 or whatever fine if I was caught “ breaking” curfew, unless decision not prosecute is reviewed and explained. Fight with actions, not words.
But frankly, after watching Netflix’ “Filthy Rich”, I realized that if in the US government ruled by a small group of powerful people with money, than what to expect elsewhere, including Cayman. Nothing will ever change.
“Filthy Rich” shows what money and power can accomplish. Almost, almost anything.
It is beyond infuriating to realize that such prominent figures as a federal prosecutor or FBI officials have condoned and were active in exonerating this filth of a man of such atrocious felonies.
So as long as we let the rich do whatever they want and let the system that gives them the upper hand prevail… we are not getting any justice, ever. Not real justice.
If you don’t pay and it goes to court you receive a criminal record (unlike a speeding or dui ticket) which will get you thrown off the island or if you are Caymanian unable to leave the island!!
Appeal
Well then I’m not paying my $500 fine for not wearing my mask at my office.
I am confident that we can all move on from this silly distraction.
The appearance of possible impropriety involving the highest levels of government is not a “silly distraction.” It is an issue core to society and free democracy, and requires clarification.
For real
Not what she did – its why she wasn’t prosecuted is the issue. Because from the information available to the public it looks like a slam dunk case. And if we are saying the RCIPS or the DPP are prepared to ignore criminal offences, however minor, committed by people connected to a politicians, then we have a major problem. If there is a good reason she wasn’t prosecuted, they only have to say.
Slam dunk?? I don’t think you understand how prosecution works
You gets what you pays for?
Not really the point here at all. Again, another Caymanian that just does not get it. You don’t understand corruption either do you.
cayman justice= no justice
Move on nothing to see here.
Fine if the Prosecution have found no actionable case, but where is the public explanation from Dwayne Seymour???
Sorry bro, the donkey doesn’t do it for me and I’d also like to now how your hairline always looks so fresh…
We deserve to know whether there was a breach or not. Whether there is an actionable case or not, is secondary.
Gossip, gossip, gossip. Move on to more important things. You people just loooove the gossip. Enough already.
what is your definition of gossip?
metadata
Barbergate?
7.21pm Drop social distancing too, be near the people you want to be near, if that how it works!
Yes they do. When they ask of us what they have, and done to us (for us) what they did, yes they damn well do. Next we’ll find out Alden has had a hair treatment and no prosecution for him or the stylist because it’s in the national interest for him to look good on camera. This incident alone has removed a lot of the goodwill that there was towards this bunch. Alden for carrying Dwayne’s water, Dwayne for his appalling words, the Governor for sitting in-between them like law and order, which includes curfew obedience, isn’t his remit. The only valid point Alden made on this is that it had the potential to divert people’s attention from following the grand plan. My response is: you’re right, fire him then and we have nothing to talk about anymore. I have the tiniest smidgen of sympathy for Dwayne because his wife, with her own free will, put him in this position, and I suppose that’s the other valid point Alden made. Overall, it’s a disgrace.
I figured from the start this would be a difficult case to prosecute, and the DPP is generally reluctant to pursue cases that they aren’t confident they can win.
Now if police had caught her in the act that would have been a different story.
Caught her in the act? She posted it on social media herself for all to see. What more evidence do they need than that? You see what’s happening in America now because things were caught on video. If what those wicked police did to that poor man was not caught on video they probably would not have even gotten charged.
Get over it. You people are just like crabs in a barrel. Or don’t you know what that means?
What more evidence do you need than video of the breach of curfew?
A small pay check.
There is video of McKeeva as well…guess that won’t be enough as well..