Cayman’s top police suspended - and London sends an anti corruption team to investigate

Cayman NetNews has reported that:

The Governor of the Cayman Islands, His Excellency Stuart Jack, CVO, today (Thursday, 27 March) announced that he has put three senior police officers on required leave to facilitate enquiries into allegations against officers of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS).

Police Commissioner Stuart Kernohan, Deputy Commissioner Rudolph Dixon and Detective Chief Superintendent John Jones were put on required leave with immediate effect to enable an investigating team from the Metropolitan Police Service led by DCS Martin Bridger to proceed with their enquiries.

As Cayman NetNews rightly says, there must be a presumption of innocence at this stage. It’s interesting to note the follwoing though:

In a separate statement, Senior Investigating Officer Martin Bridger said that much of his 30 year career as a detective has been spent dealing with issues of integrity within the police services. This included working in the Anti-Corruption Unit of London’s Metropolitan Police Service, Northern Ireland’s Police Ombudsman Office and advising other UK and European police services on how to meet the challenges offered by breaches of integrity and wrongdoing.

I think the nature of the allegations are clear.

BIG TROUBLE ON TREASURE ISLAND

It was good to celebrate my 50th birthday this morning reading an excellent article in the Guardian with the above title. As the sub-title said:

Jersey’s status as a tax haven has made it one of the richest places on Earth. But there is a widening gulf between the millionaires of the financial sector and locals struggling with low wages and rising prices. As Jon Henley reports, the backlash is growing.

It’s a privilege to help those fighting this injustice.

The awareness of the criminality of Jersey and its ilk is also growing. As The Times reports today:

Britain should tighten controls on the gambling industry and monitor the activities of wealthy foreigners to combat money laundering, according to a report by the US State Department. The annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report identified Britain as “a jurisdiction of primary concern” and said that despite improved anti-money-laundering laws and regulations, at least £15 billion of criminal profits is processed through Britain each year.

According to the US, Britain is a favourite place for money launderers, alongside Afghanistan, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The report also names Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man as money-laundering destinations.

They are.