Cayman Islands: Former Premier and Parliament Speaker McKeeva Bush Charged With Rape and Indecent Assault

McKeeva Bush, the former premier of the Cayman Islands serving as a legislator, has been charged with rape and indecent assault on Wednesday, authorities say.

Bush pleaded not guilty to the charges laid against him. The charges stem from a case in 2000. Police noted that they had no comment on the charges aside from confirming that the "senior politician" has already appeared in court via Zoom.

The embattled former Cayman Islands premier recently spoke to the Associated Press regarding these charges, saying that he rejected and denied the charges and that he pleaded not guilty. He called the accusation "malicious," and said this was an "evil plot" against him.

"All I have to say in relation to this, the latest in the series of malicious charges against me is the "Truth will come out," the Cayman Islands politician told the AP. "This is done by someone I have never had any contact with."

The former premier has had an extensive list of infractions, including being accused of groping a female employee at a casino in Florida in 2017. He pleaded not guilty on that as well, though the charges were later dropped. He was also investigated and found not guilty of theft and abuse of office nearly ten years ago.

Bush has also pleaded not guilty to charges of him assaulting two women last year during a regional tourism event in the British Caribbean territory and is now awaiting trial for that case.

Former Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush Remains Defiant

This latest sexual assault allegation is said to have been in relation to a criminal complaint of a sexual nature dating back to 2000." However, McKeeva Bush defended himself by claiming that these charges were political in nature.

"I am due to travel in a couple weeks time overseas, representing the Cayman Islands at the Commonwealth Parliamentary business session, and here comes this malicious accusation and charge against me, said to have occurred 20 years ago," the former premier said.

According to the Cayman Compass, Bush also claimed, that he will "make no apologies for my unswerving commitment to justice and human rights on behalf of those without a voice." This was in reference to his recent efforts to raise the issue of reform of banks' mortgage lending practices.

Who Is McKeeva Bush?

McKeeva Bush MP previously served as the speaker of the House and a former premier of the Cayman Islands. He currently serves as the Father of the House of Parliament as he has been serving as the representative of West Bay for almost 40 years now, even though he has been hounded nu corruption and sexual assault allegations.

According to the Cayman News Service, Bush pleaded guilty to assaulting the manager of a Seven Mile Beach bar in 2020 and was sentenced to 60 days in jail over the attack. Since then, Bush has denied any wrongdoing and blamed the victim for the assault.

Bush previously stepped down as premier back in 2012 after a vote of no-confidence from parliament. He also resigned as Speaker of Parliament in October 2022 after he was accused of sexual harassment. He has constantly denied any wrongdoing.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Cayman Islands Premier Arrested - Cayman Compass