Bush, 57, was arrested on December 12 and questioned in connection with a number of ongoing police investigations involving the alleged misuse of a government credit card and alleged breach of trust, abuse of office and conflict of interest in connection with the importation of explosives without valid permits. He was placed on police bail until February 2013 to allow further investigations to take place in the Cayman Islands and elsewhere in connection with the allegations made against him.

One week later, Cayman Islands lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence, removing Bush from office.

At a political gathering in George Town last Thursday night, Bush provided supporters with details of his arrest and the accusations against him. 

According to Bush, the allegations in relation to the suspicion of theft relate to the purchase of books that were found in his home office and his paying for the pressing of clothes which he and his wife wore to the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

“The charging on my credit card for items for breakfast and some food items in the hotels where I stayed, and at the recommendation of personnel in my office, I had authorised the purchase of some items which are used to serve coffee, tea, snacks and lunches in my home and home office,” he continued.

“There were other allegations of use of my credit card in an allegation that my office had not been repaid approximately $10,000 over a period of four years,” Bush said. “All of these allegations are refuted and if charges are ever brought in relation to them, they will be rigorously defended and I am confident that those charges will be unsuccessful.” 

Bush also spoke about the corruption-related accusations against him that involve a memorandum he sent to the collector of customs as premier and the minister of finance, along with a letter attached to the memorandum in respect of the importation of blasting materials. 

He added that additional allegations have been made in respect of the ownership of the company that imported the explosives.

“I refute the allegations. I have said publicly, I have done nothing wrong [or] unlawful. When any charges are ever brought they will be rigorously defended and I am confident that these charges will be unsuccessful,” Bush said.

He went on to claim that his arrest on suspicion of these offences was “carefully coordinated” and made day before he was to leave for Jamaica to receive an honorary doctorate, and was “orchestrated” to disrupt the award, as well as to “engineer” his removal as premier.

“I fully expect, as part of the orchestrated programme conducted by the governor and the commissioner of police, that I will be charged any time prior to the election, which is due to be held in May 2013. My attorneys have advised that I should say nothing further on this matter at the present time,” Bush concluded.

(Re-Printed from CaribbeanNewsNow)