Does anyone do background checks on personnel that are hired to head up sensitive investigations?  Why do we have to pay the piper [we didn’t engage] for disclosing to us nothing?

The “anyone” I am referring to in the first question is unfortunately the Governor’s Office and that presumably stretched back to the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The “piper” I am referring to in my second question was engaged by, again unfortunately, the Governor’s Office.

The revelations surfacing now regarding the suitability, or rather the unsuitability of  ex-Met officer Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Bridger, to be brought out to the Cayman islands and head up the Operation Tempura investigation into corruption, make me question whether background questions were done?

The fact that Bridger was hired by the now disgraced former Met. Asst Commissioner John Yates speaks volumes.

It was known before he was appointed to head the Tempura investigation there were already questions being asked about some of the cases he had investigated.  A year after he was leading the investigation a book was published called “Untouchables” where he was named, with others, of being “a dirty cop”. See our lead story.

The Tempura fiasco has cost the Cayman Islands in excess of CI$10M and it is still mounting. And who is bearing the cost of all this? You and me!

It was the ex Governor Stuart Jack who instigated the investigation and must take the bulk of the blame as he even failed to keep the head of the Cayman Islands government, Kurt Tibbetts, completely informed of what was going on.

And we still don’t know.

We, the people of the Cayman Islands, have to foot a bill that has contributed much to nearly bankrupting this country and we are being kept in the dark.

The latest was a 185 page report that reviewed, in detail, complaints filed against certain members of the Cayman Islands judiciary and the attorney general’s office. Governor, H.E. Governor Duncan Taylor commissioned the report at a cost to us of $355,548.70.

And what has the Report revealed?

To us – nothing.

“Disclosure would be prejudicial to the effective conduct of international relations between the United Kingdom and the Cayman Islands, which depends upon maintaining trust and confidence between the governments,” the FCO response to an open records request read.

How many of the British Public are aware that the Cayman Islands is paying bills accumulated by its FCO and receives nothing from it. In fact we are paying not to learn anything about it. The security and reputation of our islands is at stake we are told as the reason for this. OK? But this is costing us money.

Bridger wants to disclose papers he took away with him after he was dismissed from the Tempura investigation. Isn’t that actually stealing? He was paid by us and therefore don’t they actually belong to us?

 

Bridger received more than CI$27,000 per month in salary and expenses on average over a 17–month period to lead the corruption probe.

 

Ex Auditor general, the much maligned, Dan Guguay said, “That was the highest salary paid to any government employee at the time, including the governor.”

Who approved that?

The Governor’s Office.

Surely the Governor’s office has to take the blame for the mess?

The UK is concerned about “more circumspect reporting’ from the overseas territories” governors if the people in those positions feel their reports from the territories will be subject to open records requests. [This] could in turn damage the United Kingdom’s ability to ensure the good governance of the overseas territories,” the FCO said.

Fine. But if you appoint and mess up you clear up and YOU pay for it. Not your loyal citizens.