GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Tuesday December 18, 2012 - The embattled Premier of the Cayman Islands – McKeeva Bush was removed from office in a no-confidence vote by lawmakers in the Cayman Islands House of Assembly on Tuesday afternoon.
The legislators voted 11-3 in favour of a “no confidence” motion against the ruling government.
Bush abstained from voting on the motion.
According to the news website CayCompass.com - for the first time since the so-called 2001 government “coup d’état”, lawmakers have effectively removed the head of the current administration.
However, it is not known whether the country would have a reconstituted government or if it would have to dissolve parliament and call for early elections.
Opposition leader, Alden McLaughlin, reportedly started the meeting by stating he was bringing the no confidence motion “with a heavy heart”.
“I am deeply saddened that we have come to this point,” he said. “I cannot say how disappointed I am that the premier has brought us to this point...the reality that faced with all of this, the premier will still cling ... to the Office of Premier.”
No one else debated the motion before the house.
In recent days pressure has mounted for Bush to step down from office following his arrest last week on suspicion of theft in connection with financial irregularities relating to the alleged misuse of a government credit card. (CMC)
