Relations between Cayman's Premier and Governor go into melt-down

Relations between Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush and its Governor Duncan Taylor have gone into melt-down following Bush’s arrest last week on suspicion of corruption and the illegal importation of explosives. 

Whilst speaking publicly in Jamaica on Thursday, Bush described his arrest as “a vindictive witch hunt” fuelled by the petty jealousies of the UK’s representative and political opponents, and pointed the finger of blame squarely at Mr Taylor, who he described as his “enemy”. Not surprisingly, the governor’s office has flatly denied the accusations.

No doubt it will be some time before the legal process sorts out the rights and wrongs of the allegations made against Bush, who strenuously denies any impropriety.  However, even if he is exonerated it is difficult to see how there can be any sensible working relationship between the two men in the future, which presents a real head-ache for an Island already having to adjust to a much tighter degree of control from the UK following the adoption at the insistence of the UK of the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility.

McKeeva Bush has insisted that he would remain as Premier, despite the inevitable calls for his resignation from opposition party members.  Meanwhile, his own party colleagues are reported to be meeting to discuss how best to handle the situation and it is notable that so far none of them have publicly come out in support of him since his arrest.

Whilst Bush undoubtedly retains a significant degree of support from the public in the Island, it is difficult to see how he can be effective as Premier with such serious allegations hanging over him, and with such an abysmal working relationship with the Governor.