Integrity Commission members want to be freed to disclose more concerning their work

Commissioners of the Integrity Commission have expressed an interest in having the relevant statute amended to allow them to comment publicly on some aspects of their work, in the interest of transparency.

At a press conference this morning, Justice Seymour Panton (retired); a member of the Commission, confirmed that this is a matter that was being pursued, disclosing that he and his colleagues “feel at the moment that we are trapped by the legislation, in that it doesn’t allow us to say anything.”

On the other hand, he observed, “freedom of the press is such that the media say anything, and everything, including falsehoods, which we cannot even try to respond to if we are to disclose matters relating to investigations.”

It is therefore one aspect of the law which, “has to be amended”, he said, “as our first commitment… so that we can at least sometimes defend ourselves against persons who clearly have interest.”

Approval

The Integrity Commission also confirmed that it had received approval from the Ministry of Finance to fill top level director posts.

There have been calls for the government to immediately appoint Dirk Harrison to the post of Director in the Prosecution division at the Integrity Commission.

Mr. Harrison, who was the Contractor General when that office was a stand-alone entity, has been acting in the post of Director of Corruption Prosecution for nearly a year.

Justice Karl Harrison (acting), Chairman of the Integrity Commission, said acting directors at the Commission may apply now for the permanent positions.