Cayman Islands Governor Anwar Choudhury suspended

The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office has “temporarily withdrawn” Bangladesh-born Cayman Islands Governor Anwar Choudhury from his post pending an investigation into “a number of complaints” against him, Premier Alden McLaughlin said in a statement released early Wednesday, reports Cayman Compass.

Cayman officials, including the premier and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, were advised of the FCO’s decision late Tuesday.

The premier’s statement did not specify whether the complaints against Mr. Choudhury were related to Cayman or elsewhere. The premier also did not state the nature of the complaints.

Mr. McLaughlin, who is in the U.K. this week, said he was advised by the  U.K. overseas territories minister, Lord Tariq Ahmad, that Mr. Choudhury was in the U.K. and that the investigation against him was likely to take four to six weeks.

“While this development was unforeseen and is most unfortunate, I am confident that it will not affect the continued good governance of the Cayman Islands,” Premier McLaughlin said.

Lord Ahmad told Cayman officials that the foreign office did not intend to make any public statement regarding the matter. Mr. Choudhury could not immediately be contacted for comment, but the Cayman Compass will publish any further statements if and when they are received.

Deputy Governor Manderson will take up the post of acting governor while Mr. Choudhury is away.

Mr. Choudhury, 58, arrived in Cayman in late March and was well-received.