🏛️ ODPP appeals in McKeeva Bush assault case

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), led by Simon Davis, has confirmed an appeal was filed in April against the court's decision to halt the trial of McKeeva Bush. Bush was facing charges of indecent and common assault, but Justice Stanley John ordered a stay of proceedings on 29 February. Davis has only confirmed the appeal and refrained from commenting further, indicating a potential retrial. The Order of Stay has now been lifted on two of the four counts, paving the way for a retrial.👨‍⚖️

Bush, a veteran politician, was accused of indecently assaulting two civil servants at an official cocktail party at the Ritz-Carlton in September 2022. The case collapsed in February after Bush's legal team argued there had been an abuse of process by the crown, including non-disclosure of crucial information and undue interference. The judge's ruling, recently made public, criticized the system for being misused by individuals with personal agendas, particularly regarding the acquisition and use of one of the women's evidence. A gag order was initially imposed on the ruling due to Bush facing a historic rape charge, for which he was acquitted. With the previous trial concluded, the ruling in the earlier trial was made public. The date for the appeal hearing is yet to be announced.📅