Government ministers to be held accountable by Code of Conduct

(CMR) The PACT Government has approved a Code of Conduct for the Cabinet for the first time in Cayman Islands history. The Ministerial Code of Conduct has been listed among the government's accomplishments within its first 100 days in office.

“This is a very significant occasion; it's the first Code of Conduct Bill being put in place for the senior executive of the country. I think it represents a significant step forward and a real commitment to transparency and adhering to accountability for the executive of the country,” Premier Wayne Panton said in a video released earlier this week.

In a foreword published in the Code of Conduct, Premier  Panton said he was beyond pleased to publish this Ministerial Code of Conduct, which the Cabinet approved on Tuesday, 27 July 2021.

“This is another historic moment for the  Government and people of the Cayman Islands. I am especially pleased that this  matter was given priority by my colleagues in the PACT Government for completion  within our first 100 days in office,” he said.

He said the PACT Government was committed to being people-driven, accountable,  competent, and transparent.

“This Code of Conduct reinforces this commitment and clearly sets out our standards for adhering to the principles of good governance. The more transparent we are, the more accountable we are to the public. The better we are at transparency, the better we will get at decision making and resource allocation,” Panton said.  

Under the Ministerial Code of Conduct,  Ministers are expected to comply with the Nolan Principles or the Seven Principles of Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.

The Code stated that “If there is an allegation that a Minister other than the Premier has breached the Code, and  the Premier, having consulted the Attorney General and the Cabinet Secretary, feels that it warrants further investigation, he or she will inform the Governor of the matter.”

On the other hand,  any allegation that the Premier has breached the Code will be referred by the Attorney General to the Governor as soon as practicable.

“If a Minister is the subject of an official investigation into a matter or case of serious impropriety or alleged illegal behavior of a serious nature, the Premier may require that  Minister go on leave and the Governor acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier may appoint a person who is an elected Member of the Parliament to be a temporary Minister or assign responsibility for the performance of the functions of that Minister to another  Minister (including the Premier),” the Code stated.