Justice Seymour Panton (retired), addressing Parliament's Integrity Commission Oversight Committee on Tuesday
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By Clinton McGregor
Chairman of the Integrity Commission Retired Justice Seymour Panton has expressed outrage over suggestions by Government member Pearnel Charles Jr., that the Director of Corruption Prevention at the Integrity Commission, Ryan Evans, was once involved in politics.
Mr Charles, speaking at Tuesday's meeting of Parliament's Integrity Commisison Oversight Committee, argued that there are public concerns about some of the directors of the Integrity Commission, including Mr Evans and Executive Director Greg Christie.
Justice Payton dismissed the suggestions of Mr Charles and warned that constant attacks on the character of Mr Evans and other members of the commission put them in danger.
"It is nonsensical for there to be any discussion in respect of Director Evans," he declared, elaborating that he "went through the regular process for recruitment and employment and was appointed by the Governor-General."
Furthermore, he said, Mr Evans has absolutely nothing to do with the reports; nothing! His job is to go out there and inform people in respect of corruption; he has nothing to do with reports or prosecution or non prosecution."
He also reminded the Committee that Jamaica's second, third and fourth governors-general (Sir Clifford Campbell, Sir Florizel Glasspole, and Sir Howard Cooke) were active politicians prior to their appointment to that position of neutrality.
"So, bear that in mind when people are talking about somebody having worked with a politician for a period," he declared.
Mr Evans was shot in the parking lot of the IC during a robbery last year.
Justice Panton said the Police High Command failed to provide necessary measures to protect members of the Commission.
"Commissioner (Antony) Anderson gave instructions to one of his senior members and those instructions were not carried out," he charged.
"Had those instructions been carried out, the incident may well not have happeneed, in respect of Director Evans," he said.
"As a result of the disregard of the disregard of the isntructions of the Commissioner of Police Anderson, I had to write a letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica, copied to the Minister of National Security, exactly one week before this incident," he revealed.
The shooting incident is still being investigated by the Police High Command.
Leaks
Justice Panton also asserted that the Integrity Commission takes orders from no one except the Court.
Additionally, he said he has been taking note of reports that have been leaked to the media prior to being tabled in Parliament.
In that regard, he declared: "If it is thought that anyone in the Commission is leaking these reports, we would like it brought to our attention (and) we would like it investigated because anybody in the Commission who leaks; if it's an employee, instant dismissal!"
But he said he found it "strange that all these would be leaked immediately after it leaves the Commission and sent to Parliament."
Elaborating, he said if the leaks were emanating from the Commission, it would be strange that this would only occur after the documents are "sent away from the office."
Having said that, he added, "I cast no aspersions."
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