(CMR) Kenneth Bryan is the sole backbench member that remains firm with the government in his refusal to agree to a vote of no confidence against the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, McKeeva Bush at this time. He has broken rank with his backbench members for the second time since being elected in 2017. Bryan has indicated that at this time any decision would be “premature in light of limited information and with an ongoing investigation by police as to what exactly happened.” He further states he's guided by his constituents.
CMR understands that after talks with the opposition yesterday he was not prepared to sign on to this measure at this particular time. Instead, he is waiting for the legal process to take its course.
However, many have indicated that Bryan is playing politics with his position and is a loyalist to McKeeva Bush as he also was supportive of him in his last incident when he was arrested in Florida. Some have opined that Kenneth may be given the Deputy Speaker of the House position in exchange for his loyalty. Some are speculating that after spending eight days in the UK with Bush he may have been swayed by him. However, Bryan remains firm in his position that he did not see Bush at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference last week.
On Friday, the member for North Side Ezzard Miller called for a vote of no confidence to remove him from that position after he assaulted a bar manager over a week ago. Miller first called for his resignation and after the speaker indicated he would be taking “a leave of absence” Miller called for a vote of no confidence. According to Miller, there is no constitutional provision that allows him to take “a leave of absence”.
Bryan has issued the following statement today:
The Elected Member for North Side has made a public request for the Members of the Opposition to support a call for a special meeting of the Legislative Assembly to vote to have the Hon. W. Mckeeva Bush removed from his post as Speaker of the House. This request comes on the back of a recent incident that occurred on the 21 February where the Speaker is alleged to have assaulted a female member of staff at a liquor licensed establishment on West Bay road. By now, most of you may have seen or heard reports of the incident in question.
I acknowledge the intention of Mr. Miller to safeguard the reputation of the Legislative Assembly but I believe the request for the Speaker to be removed is premature in light of limited information and with an ongoing investigation by police as to what exactly happened.
I also believe it is important that we allow the capable Police Commissioner and his staff to conduct their investigations and reveal their findings by why of action or inaction by their department. I trust the RCIPS is fully aware of the public’s interest in this case and will conclude their investigations in a timely manner. Once more information and details surrounding the incident become more apparent, it will be better suited to decide whether or not a vote of no confidence should be called on the Hon. Speaker.
Though I am prepared to allow the authorities the necessary time to conclude their investigations before such a serious vote is called, I am guided by the voters of George Town Central. If they feel that there is enough information already available in the public domain that warrants a vote of no confidence on the Speaker, then I am guided by their direction. Until that point, I will await further details that will bring better clarity to what transpired on the 21 February regarding the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
In closing, it’s imperative that I reiterate where I stand on a matter of this nature. So, without ambiguity, I don’t condone the abuse of women in anyway and would be hugely disappointed if that turns out to be the case during the night in question.
Though I am publicly registering my opposition to any abuse of a woman or abuse of any person for the fact, it is also important that I caution us all to remember that we shouldn’t presume guilt before innocence, especially without all the relevant facts and details.
Kenneth Bryan, MLA, GTC
Bryan arrived back on the island Friday evening and Bush returned to the island on Saturday afternoon.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid