Suspended Commissioner of Police Stuart Kernohan has left the Cayman Islands, rushing to the bedside of his sick father in the UK, but will return to George Town in due course.

A spokesman for the commissioner said, “Mr. Kernohan is off island in the UK due to the illness of his father. He requested and received written permission from Governor Stuart Jack to leave and looks forward to returning to the Cayman Islands.”

Mr Kernohan left the jurisdiction approximately 10 days ago, generating rumours in his wake that he had departed permanently, fleeing a police enquiry into top-level corruption at the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), packing his effects and vacating his home.

Mr Kernohan moved to dispel the allegations on Wednesday evening (7 May), communicating from the UK through a local spokesman.

The Office of the Governor, meanwhile, said Mr Kernohan remained under the usual obligations of the Commissioner of Police, reporting his movements and agreeing on a timeframe for any absences.

“The commissioner has to receive approval from the Governor whenever he leaves the island, and he may stay as long as per the agreement,” H.E the Governor Stuart Jack said.

“The Governor has agreed to Mr Kernohan leaving the island.”

On 27 March, the Governor and two London Metropolitan Police - Chief Superintendent of the Territorial Support Group and Cayman Islands Acting Police Commissioner David George and Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Bridger - announced the suspension of Mr Kernohan, Deputy Commissioner Rudolph Dixon and Detective Chief Superintendent John Jones.

Heading a nine-member investigation team, Mr George and Mr Bridger said they were widening an initial, limited police-corruption probe to embrace “certain other matters”.

Last week, Mr Bridger acknowledged that the probe now encompassed widespread corruption within the RCIPS, declining to say when he might complete the investigation. He also acknowledged that it would be both “difficult” and “a challenge” for any of the suspended officers to return to their posts upon completion of the inquiry, even if exonerated of wrongdoing.

The three top officers were placed on one month “required leave”, receiving full pay, but under strict monitoring of their movements. The three suspensions were renewed last week for an indefinite period.

Neither Mr Jack nor Mr Kernohan said how long the commissioner would be absent, but that his return was assured.

“Do not assume this investigation will go on forever,” said a spokeswoman for the Governor’s Office. “At some point there is going to be an end, and when the commissioner is needed for questioning, he will be there.

“The fact is, he has to tell the Governor about his movements, and he is still subject to all the salient obligations of his office,” she said.

“The Governor is very mindful of treating these men with care and due respect, and not try to tell them what they can and cannot do. How long [Mr Kernohan] is away will depend on circumstances.”

tad@caymannetnews.com