Former Premier McKeeva Bush has accused successive UK governments of repeatedly interfering in the Cayman Islands' domestic affairs, using the appointment of a new British Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories to argue that London's approach to the territory's financial services industry and constitutional autonomy has changed little over the past two decades.

Bush's remarks come as Labour MP Uma Kumaran assumes responsibility for the Overseas Territories (OTs) following Stephen Doughty MP's departure from the ministerial role. Her appointment comes at a time when the UK Parliament is pressing the UK Government to define a clearer long-term strategy for its relationship with the OTs, amid continuing debate over constitutional governance, financial transparency and Britain's role in domestic affairs.

On 16 July, as then Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP convened a video conference with leaders from across the Overseas Territories. The Caymanian Journal asked Premier André Ebanks' Office for details of the meeting.

Angela Piercy, Head of Communications and Public Affairs in the Office of the Premier, described the discussion as routine.

"The 16 July meeting involved all Overseas Territories and was cordial, informative and general in nature. Nothing specific was said in relation to the Cayman Islands," she said. "However, on an overall point, Minister Doughty noted the continuing spirit of partnership between the OTs and the UK."

The Journal subsequently sought McKeeva Bush's assessment of Cayman-UK relations during his tenure as Premier.

Bush, who served as Leader of Government Business from 2001 to 2005 and as Premier from 2009 to 2012, led the Cayman Islands during major constitutional debates, Hurricane Ivan, the global financial crisis and prolonged negotiations with London over Cayman's public finances.

“Cayman First”

Bush said his relationship with successive UK governments was shaped by disagreement over the extent of Britain's role in Cayman's domestic affairs.

"My problem with the UK, from 2001-2005 and again as Premier 2009-2012, there was very little help or cooperation from the UK. Why? Because of my position: Cayman First."

He alleged that UK officials repeatedly sought to interfere in domestic policy.

"I would not agree to their numerous unreasonable intrusions, playing the neo-colonialist role in our domestic affairs."

Under the Cayman Islands Constitution, the elected Government is responsible for most domestic matters, while the United Kingdom retains responsibility for defence, external affairs, internal security and certain aspects of good governance through the Governor. The extent of those reserve powers has periodically been a source of political tension between George Town and London.

Referring to financial services regulation, Bush said he resisted proposals that he believed would damage one of the Islands' principal industries.

"I only agreed where it did no damage to our financial sector."

Hurricane Ivan

Bush also criticised London's response following Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

"There was no UK help after Hurricane Ivan. The UK told the US they would help, but nothing came except 150 horse blankets."

UK parliamentary records and government statements reviewed by The Caymanian Journal document that assistance was provided following Hurricane Ivan. According to those records, the UK's response included:

• Deployment of HMS Richmond and RFA Wave Ruler to support relief operations.
• Medical personnel and emergency medicines.
• Plastic sheeting, potable water, hygiene supplies and other requested relief items.
• Approximately £172,000 in direct emergency assistance.
• A £500,000 contribution to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' regional appeal, which included support for the Cayman Islands.
• Funding for the deployment of the Bermuda Regiment to assist with recovery operations.

However, the extent and effectiveness of that assistance has remained a matter of debate.

Giving evidence to the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee in 2018, then Hazard Management Cayman Director Eric Bush offered a markedly different assessment.

"We were devastated by Hurricane Ivan and the UK's response in 2004 was minimal at best. We were left to our own devices to rebuild. We did not have any offer of assistance, whether financial, expertise or otherwise, from the UK Government back in 2004."

Financial oversight

Bush also argued that the UK exercised extensive control over the Cayman Islands' public finances following the global financial crisis.

"They refused airport and seaport expansion, even small matters. But they demanded income tax, property tax and VAT. I told them I would never agree."

Official UK Government correspondence and policy documents from the period indicate that the UK exercised enhanced oversight of Cayman's public finances following the global financial crisis and discussed a range of fiscal reforms, including forms of direct taxation, although successive Cayman governments opposed such measures.

Financial transparency

Turning to beneficial ownership and financial transparency, Bush maintained that the Cayman Islands already fulfils its international reporting obligations.

"If it was about beneficial ownership: we already declare and report."

Public access to beneficial ownership information has become one of the defining issues in relations between the UK and several Overseas Territories. While successive UK governments have argued that greater transparency strengthens efforts to combat financial crime, Cayman has maintained that its regulated beneficial ownership regime already meets international standards and provides verified information to competent authorities through lawful channels.

The Cayman Islands was removed from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list in 2023 after implementing a package of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing reforms, although debate over beneficial ownership transparency has continued.

Bush then delivered his strongest criticism of London's approach.

"London needs to clean its own yard and stop messing with our financial sector."

Bush also criticised Baroness Margaret Hodge DBE, the Prime Minister's Anti-Corruption Champion.

"People like Margaret Hodge are still blowing their mouths about OTs and finance."

According to the UK Government, the Anti-Corruption Champion advises ministers on anti-corruption policy, works with Parliament, business and civil society and promotes the UK's anti-corruption strategy internationally. The role is advisory and does not carry investigative or prosecutorial powers.

Bush's criticism reflects a broader debate over financial regulation and transparency in the Overseas Territories.

Baroness Hodge's position has also been challenged by figures within Cayman's financial services sector. In 2019, Anthony Travers OBE, Chairman of the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange, published an open letter in IFC Review, arguing that she fundamentally misunderstood the Cayman Islands' legal and regulatory framework.

Opportunity to respond

The Caymanian Journal approached Baroness Hodge for comment on Bush's remarks but received no response before publication.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also declined to comment substantively. In an emailed statement, an FCDO spokesperson said:

"Sincere apologies for the delay in getting back to you - nothing to add from us on this."

Following Bush's remarks, the Journal again invited the Office of the Premier to comment on Cayman-UK relations and advised that Bush's comments had also been put to Baroness Hodge and the UK Government.

The Office of the Cayman Islands Premier, André Ebanks, declined to add to its earlier statement.

A changing relationship

Uma Kumaran MP, whose ministerial responsibilities include the Overseas Territories, global technology and AI, and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), inherits the Overseas Territories brief at a time when Parliament is pressing the Government to articulate a clearer long-term strategy for its relationship with the Territories.

Earlier this year, the House of Lords Constitution Committee published its report, The UK's Engagement with the Overseas Territories, concluding that the 2012 Overseas Territories White Paper no longer provides an adequate strategic framework for the relationship between the UK and the Territories.

Announcing the committee's findings on 17 April, Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the House of Lords Constitution Committee, said:

"The Overseas Territories do not always feel appropriately respected or valued, and the 2012 White Paper is now badly out of date."

The committee recommended that the Government publish a new Overseas Territories White Paper during the current Parliament to provide a coherent long-term strategy for the Territories. It also warned that the Territories should not have to rely solely on relationships with individual ministers and officials to ensure they are informed, consulted and engaged in UK decision-making.

Criticism of the Overseas Territories has also come from senior parliamentarians. During a House of Commons debate in November 2025, following a meeting with Premier André Ebanks in June 2025, Conservative MP Sir Andrew Mitchell said:

"I have recently seen senior representatives from Bermuda and the Cayman Islands who, in my judgment, were truculent and disrespectful of the will of the Westminster Parliament. As the hon. Member for Bolton West rightly said, the BVI is one of the key countries that needs to accept that, if these Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies want to use the British flag and to have our monarch and our laws, they must also accept our values."

Last month, the UK Government rejected the House of Lords Constitution Committee's recommendation to commit to a new Overseas Territories White Paper, saying it remained "open-minded about future options" and would keep the proposal under review.

As Minister Uma Kumaran takes over the brief, many of the same questions that shaped relations between London and the Overseas Territories two decades ago remain unresolved.