Above: former Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush

By Alexander Britell

Former Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush has been formally charged with corruption, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service announced in a statement Wednesday.

The charges came following police interviews with Bush on Tuesday.

Bush answered bail on Wednesday afternoon and was formally charged with two counts of Misconduct in a Public Office, four counts of Breach of Trust by a member of the Legislative Assembly and five counts of Theft.

As the police service first announced in December, the suspicions of theft were connected to alleged misuse of a government credit card, while the abuse of trust related to the alleged importation of explosive substances without a valid permit.

Bush was first arrested on suspicion of corruption in December. While he denied the charges, he soon lost a no-confidence motion and was replaced by current Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly.

This afternoon, Bush denied any wrongdoing.

“I have done nothing illegal, and will defend every one of these charges. As I’ve stated since this campaign against me began over three years ago, I am innocent,” he said in a statement released by his United Democratic Party. “I will continue as the leader of the United Democratic Party, with its full support. These charges will not deter my faith and dedication to all the people of Cayman and to the United Democratic Party.”

The party said it would also stand behind Bush, alleging that the charges were being brought to affect the upcoming election campaign.

Bush will appear in Grand Court on April 12.