👨‍⚖️ Judge partially reverses stay in McKeeva Bush assault case

McKeeva Bush, a Member of Parliament, may face further legal troubles after a Grand Court judge partially reversed a decision to stay a trial in which Bush was facing indecent assault charges. Justice Stanley John stated that he was wrong to stay the entire case, as the concerns were related to charges against only one of two alleged victims. The ruling also revealed that the system was being misused and that the cabinet secretary was pressured to give evidence against Bush. 🏛️

The incident in question occurred at a cocktail party at the Ritz hotel in September 2022, where Bush was accused of indecently assaulting two female civil servants. However, the judge found that the prosecutorial system was being misused in relation to one of the two women. While the stay in relation to the second victim was imposed largely because she did not want to pursue the case, the judge has now rescinded the Order of Stay on two of the counts, potentially allowing the crown to re-try Bush in relation to one of the women. 🍸

The woman who did not want to pursue the case described Bush's behavior as "creepy and weird" but did not believe it was a crime. She was cajoled into making a video interview and felt she was being ambushed by people with an agenda. Despite her reluctance, she was told she must give evidence. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has not yet indicated whether it intends to pursue these remaining charges, which would require a retrial and for the witness to be prepared to take the witness stand for a second time. ⚖️