Premier sticks by arrest allegations against Bryan

| 05/05/2017
Cayman News Service

Alden McLaughlin on the campaign trail, May 2017

(CNS Election): Kenneth Bryan has refuted allegations made by the premier on the campaign trail that he was arrested twice while he worked as his political assistant earlier in this administration, but the PPM leader is sticking by his accusations. Alden McLaughlin told CNS he had heard that Bryan had been arrested weeks before a nightclub incident that landed him in court not only from the police commissioner at the time, David Baines, but also the senior officer who reportedly decided not to charge Bryan in that alleged previous incident.

As the campaign heats up, the PPM appears to have singled Bryan out as one of their main campaign targets. At the end of the Progressives’ Red Bay meeting last weekend, as Alden McLaughlin urged voters to support his entire team, he pointed to Marco Archer as having “the greatest fight of all”. Archer is standing in a head-to-head race with Bryan in George Town Central.

Before that declaration, McLaughlin had taken aim at Bryan, saying that he had not been able to keep him on as his assistant after the arrest because he had no regard for authority and kept interfering with the police doing their duty. McLaughlin said he gave “Kenneth every opportunity that I possibly could”, and accused him of not having the “maturity and lacking the restraint needed” to be a representative.

Bryan has since accused the premier of lying, but McLaughlin is standing by his comments. He told CNS this week that he had been informed by the commissioner about Bryan’s earlier arrest only after he was arrested for the second time. The premier said the previous arrest reportedly happened several weeks before Bryan was charged with common assault outside a nightclub on the West Bay Road. He said this was later confirmed by the senior officer who made the decision to let Bryan leave with a just a warning, the first time around.

However, Bryan has categorically denied the allegations, insisting that he was not arrested between June 2013, when he began working as McLaughlin’s political assistant, until the incident outside what was then the Jet Nightclub in October 2015, when he went to the assistance of an off-duty female police officer and became embroiled in a wider dispute with on-duty officers.

Police have further muddled the question of who is telling the truth with confusing statements. One officer responded to media inquiries by suggesting that a search revealed no record of this alleged arrest, while other officers have implied it did take place.

A direct request for confirmation one way or the other from CNS to the RCIPS this week was denied. A police spokesperson stated, “Mr Bryan has formally written to the RCIPS and the issues raised by him are currently being enquired into. In the circumstances, it is not appropriate to make any comment at this time.” 

Meanwhile, Bryan told CNS that he was saddened by what he said were Alden McLaughlin’s lies about him and that his opponent in GTC, Marco Archer, would support a leader who was lying to the people of the Cayman Islands for political benefit.

“I believe this is yet another tactic to derail me from the focus of the issues impacting the people. I have no intention of responding any more to the attacks and want to focus my campaign on the issues,” he added.

The race between Archer and Bryan is one of the most acrimonious battles going on in the nineteen constituencies, where some fights have remained relatively polite. But there is mounting speculation that Archer was not best pleased about finding himself in the GTC race.

Before Nomination Day he was seen as the Progressives’ strongest candidate in the capital and tipped to take the seat in whichever one of the new constituencies he campaigned for. Throughout the months leading up to the election, McLaughlin had said on a number of occasions that he would be running in George Town Central, but in a last minute Nomination Day surprise, Archer appeared for registration in GTC instead.

Bryan was the first candidate to formally declare his intention to run in a specific constituency, long before any others threw their hats in the ring. Before Tibbetts confirmed his intention to retire, there was the possibility that he could run in George Town Central against him, but Bryan had always maintained that he was not concerned about who his opponent would be.

The surprise move by the Progressives to run Archer in GTC and the premier in Red Bay was a political maneuver to maximise the chance that McLaughlin is returned, regardless of the wider PPM result. However, this may have put their most popular minister’s re-election in jeopardy.

Although Cayman still does not have any accurate election polling to tell voters how things may be going, insider survey results appear to indicate that the premier will have the numbers to secure the Red Bay seat. The leader is up against Dr Frank McField and on the CDP ticket, Denniston Tibbetts, the brother of Kurt, McLaughlin’s long-time political friend and mentor. But despite Archer’s popularity, the head-to-head fight with Bryan won’t be a walk in the park for the finance minister, as acknowledged by the premier on Saturday. 

Bryan has been campaigning for more than a year; he is backed by Dr Steve Tomlinson and he will attract votes from supporters of the CDP, which has endorsed him, as well as those wanting to vote for an independent candidate. He has also gained support from the other ill-defined but loose alliance of independent candidates led by Arden McLean, the East End incumbant (see video).

While Archer has the PPM votes in the bag and has a track record as the current finance minister to attract some non-affiliated and undecided voters, not everyone thinks he has done as great a job as the awards and accolades may suggest. In the end, regardless of the real number of arrests, Bryan remains a serious contender.

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Category: Campaigns, Candidates

Comments (89)

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  1. Anon says:

    Unemployed convicted coke dealer stands for office…you can’t be serious and elect this moron

  2. Anonymous says:

    Bryan’s carefully worded denials are concerning. He should positively set out his involvement with police investigations over the period. Given he has a serious conviction for supplying drugs and has served jail time for it, funnily enough people begin to want full disclosure.

  3. Anonymous says:

    If people are fool enough to vote for Kenneth instead of Marco you can kiss this country good bye, it will be gone to the dogs for sure. Kenneth can’t hold a candle to Marco

  4. Anonymous says:

    Obviously Alden doesn’t believe his party record is strong enough to convince voters the PPM deserve another 4 years in power. Choosing the low road in politics is desperation. Sad really.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Not for the first time Alden’s behaviour has left me scratching my head.

    • Observer says:

      Alden Trump please get your head out of the clouds

    • Anonymous says:

      8.04pm You are not alone . There was a guy at the PPM meeting near Walkers Rd Gas station who was broadcasting on facebook live and he was so shocked at the large crowd that he sounded ready to pull his hair out.Just couldn’t believe that PPM was so popular.At least you are only scrathing and not pulling which is a good thing I guess.

  6. Unison says:

    I think Kenneth has a chance. There are alot of voters who believe in grace, giving someone a chance, and not bringing up the past. Kenneth may not have the expertise in finance like Marco, but – IS HE AN ACTION MAN WHO WILL CARRY OUT GOOD THINGS FOR THE COUNTRY?

    Likewise, Alddn better watch out. You Frank McField right next to him for the district of Red Bay. Frank has a past too, but many speaking positive about him now. So whilst Alden is caught up with the Central G.T. district, he better focus on Red Bay where he is a candidate!

    • Sharkey says:

      He keeps this up , he would be just like Mrs Clinton who still can’t believe that she lost her Election to President Trump .

    • Caymanian says:

      Naaah. No chance honestly. It’s a hail Mary with no receiver going down field to catch it.

      The questions should always be this: What does the candidate bring to the table? Why him over the other candidates?

      Kenneth brings nothing to the table that tops Marco. You could trade say Lucille for Kenneth but that’s not the race you have. You could also trade David Wight for Kenneth but Kenneth has no REAL value. He probably would have done better running against people like Johnathan and Ellio to be honest.

      I don’t think he is strong enough to challenge either Alden, Marco, Roy or Mike. The weaker PPM are vulnerable like Joey, David, Barbara and Lucille with the latter being the weakest. Mike from CDP is also too strong.

      He should have run vs Lucille with Matthew and Austin and he may have been a shoe in there. I just think he won’t fair well against strong PPM or CDP members.

    • Anonymous says:

      Kenneth gain at the loss of Marco….?
      TRAGIC LOSS.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Alden, did you really need to sink this low and become this negative?? You are not running in GTC, let Marco fight his own battles…you ran away from a fight that you knew you couldn’t win so you sent Marco..Why are you campaigning against Kenneth instead of Dr.Frank or Denniston in your district?

    • Caymanian says:

      I don’t think he really had a choice to be honest. I think from time he said he opted to run in Red Bay instead of GTC to avoid the confrontation Kenneth came out swinging against him. It was writing on the wall after that.

    • Anonymous says:

      Alden didn’t ‘sink this low’. He’s been ‘lower than low’ for a long time. You obviously don’t know the real Alden.

    • Anonymous says:

      Alden is acting like a coward and someone that does not have the country’s best interest at heart. Because he was afraid of Kenneth, he sacrificed the only politician that did work over the past 4 years, Marco Archer.

      You have to understand Caymanian voters. They need to know you and see you… and not only during the election season – it leaves a bad tastes in their mouths. Kenneth has been on the ground for the past 4 years. The people know him, know what he stands for and many are on board. This is the hottest matchup on the island. Watch it closely.

      • Caymanian says:

        Alden afraid of Kenneth? Hold on. Do you think in a head to head fight Kenneth stood a hope in hell of defeating Alden? Do you think “The Lion” in WB stands a real chance of defeating Mac? These are fairy tales you tell your kids. These are not real. The hope was to avoid this very thing you are seeing. A dirty campaign. Imagine for a second that Alden really is running against Kenneth how dirty this would get.

        Alden made a grave mistake to bring Kenneth onboard to begin with. He knows that. It looks bad on him. Kenneth, by news accounts, had issues with drugs and pleaded guilty and Alden still hired him. Alden did not want this matter brought out in front of the world. This is why he decided to move to Red Bay.

        That said, Alden has every right to defend himself and by way of being the leader of the PPM and placing Marco in Kenneth’s path, has every right to defend Marco.

        Kenneth has two options. 1. Fight this elections based on what he can do and ideas he has or 2. Play a dirty fight hoping to seed enough doubt in Marco to wrestle the seat from him.

        I would only say if you start slinging dirt you better have a pretty nice lawn outside or brace yourself for what’s to come.

        Kenneth apparently has somewhat of a graveyard behind his home and would be wise to fight this based on what he brings to the table and NOT get into a dirty politics.

        Kenneth will get votes but he would not do any severe damage to any strong politician.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Alden, get back on course and do not let your message get distracted by Kenneth. He is going to lose without your help.Remember the words of Confucius; never argue with a fool , because a listener may not be able to tell the difference between you two.I don’t believe you would repeat your statement and risk a libel suit. Maybe one occasion might be a slip in a heated moment, but I am sure that after that first occasion you would have been informed that it was potentially libelous and you would not have repeated if not true. I am pretty sure therefore that it happened and that you have proof..

    • Caymanian says:

      I actually prefer “never argue with a fool because they will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience”

    • Anonymous says:

      This is the same Alden who is a Lawyer who almost caused a mistrial in Court which I think was deliberate to cover his tracks. He obviously does not know the law or has no regard for it himself or thinks he is above it.

  9. Anon. says:

    Listen up people, Alden McLaughlin knows of what he is saying. Just like he says, just because the police “database” did return results does not automatically mean it didn’t happen.

    There are officers who know for a fact what happened and I trust them more than any database police claim to have. A computer system is only as good as the data entered. Data not entered, no records will be found.

    Mr. Bryan also knows what occurred but his recent rhetoric reminds me of another “my hands are clean and my heart is pure” speech.

    DO NOT BE FOOLED!!!!

    The police say their search turned up no second arrest, the problem is I put very little credence in any data the police offers these days.

    Wasn’t it their database that half the data went missing a little while ago?

    Another publication had it’s editorial trying to shame Alden, talking about his words have credence and he has to be careful what he say and the police say their database show no second arrest.

    You all forget that fiasco with the compass owner and Alden? Well the compass owner hasn’t forgotten and he is going to stick it to Alden any chance he get. Mr. Legge doesn’t forget and he clearly holds grudges.

    I hope you all are sensible enough to pick out fact from fiction and sense from nonsense.
    Two arrests does not necessarily make Mr. Bryan not suitable to run for the elections but it gives insight into his character and if he is willing to lie and cover it up, that says something as well.

    Did he perhaps forget because it was an arrest, then turned into a warning and was never pursued? Because it was a warning, it was never entered into any database. Doesn’t mean the arrest didn’t initially happen.

  10. ? says:

    So sad that was the claimed topic of conversation between the two top officials. Can he also elaborate on the feedback he was given from the Prospect voter on crime in the district and passed on ?
    Situation here is still lawless !

  11. Anonymous says:

    I live in Red Bay, and the negativity and small-town personal vindictiveness of the premier’s comments persuade me he’s not the right man for the job. He should be above this and arguing on policy, not personality. But too often he prefers to return to local personality bitch-fights.

    I’d rather hear about his approaches on the dump, immigration, education, etc, but I know that’s not going to happen. Thay’re far too difficult, compared with a nice easy slapping match with a nobody from another constituency.

    At heart the premier is no “statesman”: he’s a local boy, with small-town obsessions and vindictiveness. We deserve better.

    • Caymanian says:

      We can be fair and say he actually TRIED to avoid it by not directly challenging Kenneth head on which UNDOUBTEDLY he would beat with his eyes closed but he opted to go to run in Red Bay to TRY to avoid it.

      Politics is nasty business and not just here on our small rock but all over the world.

      I am not from Red Bay and the choice ultimately is yours. But of your candidates from my vantage point Alden from your district has the most skills for the job hands down. It’s not even close.

      Dr Frank is not all here to be honest. Never has been. He is a very smart man but he walks a thin line at times between sanity and absolutely koo koo.
      Denniston who I am related to is not his brother. He does not have the skill set to be in government less face Alden in a debate.

      I believe Alden is honestly the best you have. I just think you need understand and appreciate that this is politics. Alden’s attack is sadly part of his job to ensure that Marco get’s in and to set the record is clear why he did what he did before because a ton of people beat him up for firing Kenneth and I believe he still feels he needs to justify it.

      Honestly, like you I wish this would stop and we could hear ideas but sadly this is politics all over the world. Mostly what we get is sound bites that we want to hear with little to no substance lined with promises that will never be fulfilled. As a voter our job is to ask the hard questions and make sure we get solid answers. Demand Solid answers.

      Last thing to say…Don’t vote CDP – We don’t need Mac and his crazy ideas anymore….No 3,000 Chinese, No Chinese business owners on the dock getting all the business, no oil refinery in the North Sound, No Mego Port in East End, No Dump in BT done in back room deals…..We need transparency…..Say NO to CDP……Say YES to Cayman!! – Watch out for “Independents” who are shadow party candidates.

      Rock your vote!!

  12. Smithy says:

    Who cares how many time Kenneth was arrested? Do you really want a convicted drug dealer and someone guilty of obstructing the police in their duty as your representative? What kind of role model is he for our children?

    Get real and raise the bar of those we elect to the LA before we end up like so many other Caribbean countries where only people who can’t find a job seek a career in politics. Oooops! I guess that disqualifies Kenneth and quite a few others now too.

    • Anonymous says:

      So he has a drug conviction?

      • Anonymous says:

        A drug dealing conviction – product of a 4 month undercover RCIPS sting operation. Oddly, only got a slap on the wrist.

        • Anonymous says:

          Candidate X must have done something really bad.

        • Cheech n Chong says:

          I would like to Police Records and or Convictions for all the Candidates…. ALL past included.

    • Anonymous says:

      Corruption, domestic violence (by too many), greed, drugs, infidelity. We’re tired of this!

  13. Lightning McQueen says:

    Who cares. He isn’t pumping up demand for property by allowing people including expats to dip into their pension thereby pricing out young caymanians. He didn’t get rid of rollover thereby allowing 1000 upper middle class expats to stay forever and once again pumping up demand for property and job sit they’d by once again depriving young caymanians and others of a chance.

    • Caymanian says:

      Yeah but who wants inexperienced hot heads running our government!!. What stupid crap will they do???

  14. Anonymous says:

    But didn’t Alden hire him subsequent to an arrest and served sentence for selling cocaine to a police officer…or are we pretending that didn’t happen either? Not much moral high ground here…we need better candidates.

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s called giving someone a second chance, and having got it, Kenneth blew it.

  15. Sharkey says:

    We have to remember that Alden seen that running in George town against two Candidates like Bryan and Archer would have been a bad nightmare for him , that’s why he chose to run in a smaller District and throw bombs from the outside.
    I think that we should be holding him to higher standards , and he should have better morals for himself. If I was Bryan I would not only see him in the LA but I would see him next door too.

    • Caymanian says:

      WTH are you saying. First Alden would NEVER run against another PPM, that makes no logical sense. Why would you even say that? And Kenneth would not even be a speed bump to Alden. Kenneth won’t be a speed bump to Marco less.

      He chose to run in Red Bay because of two reasons. Every leader wants to guarantee himself a seat and to avoid conflict. There could have been other reasons such as voter dynamics which I have not looked into but I suspect Alden did really good in the Prospect/Red Bay boxes last time.

    • Anonymous says:

      LMAO. Archer and Alden are on the same team. That means they would not be running against each other.

  16. Anonymous says:

    So Kenneth insists that he was not “arrested” between June 2013, and October 2015… Its kind of an odd statement. Very specific to an event and a time frame.

    Perhaps he was detained and not charged (arrested) or warned about his behaviour. Warnings go in the back pocket and get remembered when required. In this case it was remembered and the information provided to The Premier of the country by the Police Chief of the country.

    When someone lets you off with a warning, it is still a serious thing. But, sounds like it is true. He was not actually “arrested” and charged.

    But as to the specific dates, can he state for the record if other than the event at the nightclub if he was ever arrested before June 2013 or since October 2015?

    • Anonymous says:

      When one’s been arrested previously in a four month sting operation and served a sentence for a serious recurring offense involving lechery, moral turpitude and “familiarity with the world of drugs and cocaine”, one has to get very specific about the timeline of when you were not arrested:

      https://www.caymancompass.com/2007/02/23/two-jailed-for-supplying-cocaine/

      • Caymanian says:

        Can someone tell me why Kenneth is allowed to run for Office??? Does this not disqualify you in the same way Mr. X was disqualified???? Someone…Anyone??? Elections Office???? CNS????

        • Caymanian says:

          Ok. Think I got my own answer….His sentence was 90 days and law states 12 months or dishonesty as dis qualifiers….but this is still bad…..sold drugs and other matter…plus potentially something else

          • Anonymous says:

            More importantly, how did he earn such a light misdemeanor sentence from being a lecherous cocaine dealer over the 4 month duration of the sting operation? Seems suspiciously lenient. In contrast we have first time ganja offenders regularly sentenced to 3-5 years. Even prosecution was stunned by the sentence, on appeal, they thought sentence range should have been 2-8 years!!:

            https://www.caymancompass.com/2008/09/01/nightclub-cocaine-sentence-reviewed/

      • Cheech n Chong says:

        Ok so you broke the “previous convictions” Mystery how much points have you now gained with
        Pathetic Pisspoor Management

        Kenneth has made the same mistakes that other youngmen in Cayman has made, should he never mend or change his past and make a honest man NOW of himself. Alden digging up something that happened 10 frekken years ago!!!
        In 4 years am sure if you SNOOPED around you may find some RECENT Hidden Secrets! The people see and know alot about what takes place here and abroad with our Govt Reps… Kenneth kmows he has a past and hasnt made that stop him from trying. He is a role model to the younger generations. Its Not where you are coming from but WHERE U ARE TRYING TO GO….Our Future is Determined from our Past..

    • Inspector Clouseau says:

      “Perhaps he was detained and not charged (arrested)”.

      Being arrested doesn’t mean you’re charged.

      I order for you to be detained, you definitely needed to be arrested. Detained otherwise would mean held against your will if you weren’t arrested.

      For a formal warning, you needed to be arrested as well. Therefore this warning of “being used against you in the future” can’t go so. Thier isn’t anything recorded by way of a signature from kenneth saying has accepted the warning and won’t be prosecuted.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Whatever the reality regarding Alden’s claims and decision to get rid of Kenneth, he is dead wrong.
    Allow me to explain.

    Every mature and sensible person, especially those with a legal background, understands that an arrest is simply that, an arrest.

    Alden’s defence becomes even more absurd when we remember that he is in the profession of politics, therefore must understand there are a myriad of reasons why a strongly affiliated individual may be subject to a greater possibility of scrutiny by society, including law enforcement.

    For example, what if the (alleged) arresting officer was; a devout UDP supporter, someone jealous of Kenneth’s sudden visibility (in light of his past), or simply held the same disdain for Kenneth as Alden does now?

    The supportive response to any arrest would have been to wait for the legal process to run its course. Alden / PPM’s failure to do so says to me they were never genuinely committed to Kenneth’s role in their organization.

    – Who

    * Consider the number of prominent western politicians and officials that have ran for highest office while under investigation for all sorts…all of greater significance than some parking lot scuffle.

    • Anonymous says:

      Mr Trump can say the things he said on the bus, Steven Colbert can say the things he said on his show. One was elected president, one will likely lose his job.

      Overall we hold elected officials to lower standards.

  18. Anonymous says:

    1.) Alden is a cancer to the PPM.
    2.) Alden is a cancer to Cayman politics.
    3.) Alden ran from Kenneth.
    4.) Alden set up the most popular member of his party to run against his biggest foe. (Extreme sucker move).
    5.) Rumors are already rampant that Marco (and company) are not content with the current state of affairs.
    6.) Marco would do himself a huge favour by disavowing his PPM affiliation NOW.
    7.) Doing so would greatly relieve the anguish of this GTC voter who simply CANNOT cast a vote for the PPM – and potentially the return of Alden as Premier.

    Your move Marco. The people love you as an individual, but that red shirt is pulling you down my friend.

    Do the right thing. We need YOU in government, NOT your party…lastly, just about every candidate will support you as Finance Minister again and, I suspect, even as Premier.

    This scenario may even lead to an overdue shuffling of political affiliations and party makeup.

    Think about it …

    – Whodatis

    • Anonymous says:

      Thanks Who. Your endorsement of anyone means I will do the exact opposite.

      • Anonymous says:

        Thank goodness we don’t even know who dat is.

        • Anonymous says:

          Who don’t know who Whodatis is?

          I am Who. Who am I. Whodatis is me.
          Who can’t see dat’ is just blind as a bat.

          – Whodatis

          😉

    • Anonymous says:

      And Whodatis is a rebel looking for a cause. Stop preaching division in your attempts to shape the Government to your liking.There is harmony in the PPM camp, even if you do not like it

      • Anonymous says:

        Re: “…attempts to shape the Government to your liking…”, last I checked that was the very essence of democracy.

        I encourage you and all other readers to do the same.

        As for supposed harmony in the PPM camp – that means diddly-squat to me. Couldn’t care less.

        I am primarily concerned about electing the right candidates to power – on an individual basis.

        Unfortunately, the PPM has not forwarded a team worthy of supporting them as a capable entity / party.

        – Who

      • Anonymous says:

        Really? Ask Lucille because word on the road is that she is PPM by default. they did not want her and she did not want them!

      • Cheech n Chong says:

        Looks So, PPM Coward Capt has shown he will throw his Party overboard, to save his own ass… HMS Sinking Ship

    • Our turn next says:

      Who you ok? Your pressure ok you’re not on some sort of ,education are you? Wonder no more Marco Archer maybe good with numbers and that’s it. He is arrogant, don’t know the first thing about people management, has no clue on diplomacy and will blow up if the right button is pushed. Remember two episodes now on Rooster.

      Now I wouldn’t say that if he is able to see himself for what he is and is willing to change for his own betterment, then in a few years he could possibly lay claim to a higher leadership role, but not now most definitely not. Let’s hope he takes his whipping from Mr. Bryan in context and aligns himself again with people who will throw you under the bus and the rest you have said.

    • Cheech n Chong says:

      Whodatis you hit the nail on its head…. Marco you are a professional, as another Commenter has said change that Red shirt and save yourself PPM ship is Sinking Fast!!!!

  19. Sharkey says:

    You might stick to your allegations at CNS , but not over at
    The Compass or the Court House. .

  20. Anonymous says:

    An arrest doesn’t occur without a record of it. Alden should know this as a so-called lawyer!

    Sue him Kenneth!

  21. Anonymous says:

    Who cares Ken will come a distant 2nd in a two man race.

  22. Anonymous says:

    As a lawyer Alden McLaughlin sure has a poor grasp of comments which could impact an ongoing trial (the Syed case) or repeating “hearsay” (his falsehoods regarding Kenneth Bryan).

    Alden’s arrogance knows no bounds and as GM of the Lodge he feels protected.

    His day is coming! When he is a private citizen, maybe he will have to farm as he indicated. I for one would not seek his legal services!!

  23. Anonymous says:

    Alden is nothing but a big girl’s blouse. He RAN from facing Kenny in GTC and now throws rocks from behind his Red Bay wall. That is an act of cowardice.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Alden makes me laugh! He is trying to keep a seat in the LA! Makes Marco fight his battle, what a loser!

  25. Anonymous says:

    1. Whether it happened or not shouldn’t be what a voter relies on to vote for him or not.
    2. Alden resorting to ‘outing’ Bryan is a sign of insecurity. Can your candidate not win based on merit alone without casting aspersions?
    3. If someone were going to withhold a vote for Bryan based on past criminal actions, there’s already enough that he has done that would support that action. Proof of one more arrest isn’t needed, he already has enough.
    4. Bryan was good enough when he was with the PPM but now they act like he’s the worst. As if walking away from them makes one such a bad person. Get over it.
    5. Marco is best qualified for Minister of Finance, hands down.
    6. Alden needs to stop being a petty patty.

    • Bustafree says:

      Yes, Number 4!!!!

      Please read and take heed before you hire then blame “oh wisest ones”.

      Somebody got to be lying…or pretending as usual.

    • Anonymous says:

      What is with the criminal past and “already has enough arrests” thing? Is he Candidate X? If so… why are we even talking about him?

    • Anonymous says:

      @3.35pm It is his actions after leaving that is causing the problem. Surely if Kenneth is going around making all sorts of allegations then one should expect the objects of those allegations to react. Or do you believe it is ok for
      ‘poor little Kenny’ to score political points but it is bad for Alden and PPM to return the favour. I would suggest that if Kenneth is not prepared to take licks then he shouldn’t dish them out.

      • Cheech n Chong says:

        Alden should be explaing to the Tax Payers what he did to earn our money/his Salary over the past 4 years.

        Because I wanna know where the progressive progress is/are to this country, that paid this coward for the past 4 years for nothing besides being on TV, radio and mugging for every camera op his moneker could get that ol tired face in.

        I dont give two shits
        what Kenneth did back when he was in his 20’s some 10 years ago, no one cares…..

  26. Anonymous says:

    “He told CNS this week that he had been informed by the commissioner about Bryan’s earlier arrest several weeks before he was charged with common assault outside a nightclub on the West Bay Road.”

    So what you’re saying Mr Premier is that you were aware of an arrest prior to the nightclub incident but you did nothing to reprimand Mr Bryan because he was on your team at the time and only parted ways after the nightclub incident became public, but now during election time you think this should be shared with all. Well aren’t you just a beacon of integrity!

  27. Anonymous says:

    This is embarrassing because he’s acting like a silly little boy. If he was a man he’d admit he got it wrong and apologise.

  28. Anonymous says:

    What else is Mr McLaughlin walking away from? As for Mr Archer, if you either don’t want to fight this battle, say so, if you don’t agree with how Mr McLaughlin is fighting your battle for you, say so, you really need to stand for something, anything at this point. The Christian in you knows what to do.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Trump boy. Man taking a ting from him.

  30. Anonymous says:

    Well its clear what is going on the PPM are using lies and deception to destroy the character of two candidates who will very likely take out two sitting minister. Alva Suckoo in Newlands mentioned that they are slandering him with his constituents and its clear they are using the same tactic with Kenneth but his attacks are in the public. I hope the public can see what is going on here!

    • Fred says:

      Well, when it comes to Mr Bryan I am not sure the number of arrests is nearly as relevant as a conviction for selling cocaine. That’s not slander, just fact.

    • Cheech n Chong says:

      We see, unfortunately all the ol riffrafts think the people still swallowing the CoolAid…..
      MAY 24TH 2017 Change is Coming Our Way

  31. Anonymous says:

    The number of arrests is irrelevant…just one conviction should be enough to make him an unsuitable candidate.

    • Anonymous says:

      Domestic abuse is terrible even if your not “caught”, said….

    • Anonymous says:

      Having sold cocaine to a police officer at a night club, and served that sentence, probably should have been a disqualifier as an hire as political assistant, if one were truly being picky about moral high ground and reputational fortitude. Lol – you can’t even make this stuff up.

    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly. Especially a conviction for supplying/selling drugs.. the damage that could have been to our young people, and how many of the ‘buyers’ ended up in Northward I wonder?

      But in my opinion, conviction for SELLING drugs is disqualification to run for office, the impact on the youth and negative impact on families, community, especially if conviction was just 7 years ago!

  32. Annonmyous says:

    Alden please take the high road and act like the Premier of this country. Stop mud slinging. So many much more important issues facing our Beloved Cayman Islands.Those solutions are what the voters are interested in.

  33. Ani says:

    When the Premier decided not to run against Mr Bryan in GTC Central his reasons included that he did not want to let personal attacks get in the way of politics. I would hope that most saw this as a sign of cowardice. Now that the Premier is hoping to be elected in the perceived safe seat of Red Bay he has not stopped making personal attacks against Mr Bryan. Hopefully the constituents of Red Bay will not be fooled by a coward lacking integrity. Importantly these are not personality traits one would want in the leader of a country.

    • Anonymous says:

      Since when is stating the facts a personal attack and a sign of cowardise??? If Bryan was in fact not in trouble twice (trouble that a person of his standing most certainly should NOT be in), then he most certainly was in that trouble once. Only half as bad I suppose if you look at it that way, but the fact remains that he should not have found himself in that situation, and this is a poor reflection at best of his maturity and responsibility as a prospective leader of this country.

  34. Anonymous says:

    The entire electorate should make their vote (or conscientiously withhold it) based on merit, not by extinct party loyalties.

    If anything has been made clear in the last 4 years, it’s that unfulfilled party manifestos, intellectual capacity, personal motivations are really unchanged, don’t significantly differ, and won’t matter much in what will become a coalition Cabinet later this month.

    Until we decide to amend the Constitution, many districts will have a tough job picking from the produce on offer (much of it past due or rotten).

  35. Anonymous says:

    Kenneth if the second arrest never happened – speak to your lawyer after elections. Whisper the word LIBEL then see what Alden will have to say then.
    Alden has shown he speaks too loosely. He is clearly nervous and scerrrrred!

    • Caymanian says:

      Alden is a lawyer if you don’t recall and I am pretty sure he is right here. He would not risk being wrong as it could harm Marco. The police probably gave him a break because of who he was at the time. The problem is and this is probably why Police are scrambling right now is because it was BASICALLY a political favor.

      • Anonymous says:

        Are you serious??? If an arrest happened it had to be recorded, that is the law, if anyone can get away with an arrest not being recorded, believe me it is not Kenneth Bryan,…if the Police have no record of the arrest…therefore how could it have happened. Kenneth is not going to say it didn’t happen if it did, how would he know if the Police would lose the record…its absurd and ridiculous. They keep trying to trip Kenneth up but he keeps on fighting for the good. Be careful what you say and who you believe you will be left with egg on your face. XXXXXX

        I know for one that Kenneth doesn’t drink nor does he beat women.

        A conviction for a mistake made when a young man on the wrong path, which has been put right by trying to put other troubled kids on the right path, leading by example, going to the aid of women being beaten outside nightclub, assisting old ladies with broken down cars, wanting to improve communities for everyone, wanting to give everyone a chance not just those with fair skin and a rich pocket, that kind of man I would vote for every single day.

        Lawyers are people who have studied the law, this does not automatically make them good people.

        Always remember that just because it is legal does not make it right.

        Remember slavery was legal once….

        Always question those who hold you to a higher standard than themselves, question their morals and their heart because those that do not have a moral code will fill their pockets with riches at your expense.

        The PPM trolls are all over this, instead of trying to fix the country they have made a mess of, instead of guiding their party to fix the broken health service and education system.

        Please also beware of those in the “Lodge”!!

    • frangipani says:

      As Premier of this country Alden should now stop the foolishness and put away childish to-ing and fro-ing. Our country is at stake here and he needs to get over whatever is in his craw and and act like a man. Please…..come on now!!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      If the police themselves don’t know whether they arrested him, I think our honorable Mr. Premier is on good footing. Press on Sir.