SPEAKER SEEKS TO EXPLAIN AFFRAY

With the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service investigating reports that “a senior member of the government had assaulted a female…resulting in her receiving minor injuries”, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has issued a public statement linking his involvement to the affray.

Hon. McKeeva Bush said he expressed “profound and sincere apologies to the management and staff of Coral Beach, the public, my colleagues, my constituents and in particular the General Manager of the Coral Beach for the incident which occurred on Friday, February 21st.”

In giving a lengthy account of the events which have led to the police investigation, Mr Bush said he passed out and fell which might have caused him to “become confused and disoriented and reacted badly to the very persons who were surrounding him and assisting him”.

He refers to still struggling to come to terms with the loss of his daughter. She passed away tragically nine years ago.

He also stated that the incident of Friday 21st February has brought home to him the result of his “failures to seek professional help and the realization of my inability, despite significant efforts to deal with this on my own.”

“These feelings get worse in times surrounding the loss.”

Mr Bush who said he is committed to seeking long term professional help, has also vowed to abstain from alcohol.

“I am committed to seeking long term professional help to assist me in dealing with the emotional pain which I’m experiencing and to cease the use of alcohol as it exaggerates my emotional pain.”

Speaker Bush also expressed the hope that his situation leads others with similar experiences to seek professional assistance.

He said he will continue his public work.

The police investigation is continuing.

The RCIPS is encouraging anyone with information about the matter to contact the George Town Police Station at 949-4222 and ask to speak with the inspector in charge.