cayCompass.com :: Letters to the Editor: Corruption fight needs independence .

A good letter in cayCompass.com saying (in essence):

A study of corruption fighting organisations worldwide reveals that, to be successful, the Anti-Corruption Commission has to be an Independent Commission Against Corruption, reporting its findings directly to and accountable to the people and to the Legislative Assembly. As examples see www.icac.org.hk and www.icac.nsw.gov.au

Unfortunately, the Cayman Islands Anti-Corruption Commission is NOT independent, which is now the worldwide-accepted best practice.

Independence and separation of powers are integral and necessary parts of good governance systems established to investigate and fight corruption and to work towards truly good governance systems for the benefit of the population as a whole and not to protect just the usual crooked “chosen few” with the right political connections from prosecution.

Without independent watch dog commissions, outside of the direct UK and Cayman Islands political and civil service control, it is impossible to avoid the inevitable conflict of interest within the UK and Cayman Islands governance systems and to safeguard separation of powers.

Cayman’s Anti-Corruption Commission is totally directed and controlled by the UK Government’s instructions via directions from the FCO to the Governor.

The UK Government has demonstrated that they can no longer be trusted to follow the principles of the Rule of Law. The UK Government/BAE/Saudi Arabia corrupt bribery case exposed that whenever the UK’s interests are at risk then the UK has and will in the future violate laws to achieve objectives deemed to be in the UK’s “best interests”. See www.controlbae.org

As the UK Governance system cannot be trusted to be honest, the Commission must be made into a modern Independent Commission against Corruption not under the control of the UK or local politicians or civil servants. Compliance with the fundamental principles of the Rule of Law must be an unwavering standard for Cayman Islands governance.

Legislators do the right thing for our Islands; make the Anti-Corruption independent. Let them get on with the job unfettered.

It's shameful that this can fairly be said of the UK.

It's shameful that Cayman has not sought the highest standard of approach when adopting its new law.

Both need to take action, now.