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Integrity Commission vows not to be intimidated

 
Chairman of the Integrity Commission, Retired Justice Seymour Panton has declared that he will not be intimidated by threats and barbs directed at the commissioners and staff of the Commission.
 
He has called for members of the anti-corruption body to fearlessly carry out their duties, in accordance with the law.
 
Members of the Integrity Commission have been coming under intense criticism since it released a report raising question about the statutory declaration of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
 
The Commission has also submitted its report to the Financial Investigations Division to probe some of its findings.
 
In an interview with the Sunday Gleaner, Justice Panton raised concerns about social media posts targeting the Commission's Director of Investigation Kevon Stephenson.
 
Justice Panton believes the posts are designed to drive fear into the heart of the Director but said his team will be firm in its position.
 
The IC Chairman said he has reported the matter to National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang.
 
The National Security Minister told The Sunday Gleaner that if the Director of Investigation was threatened, it was a matter for the police to investigate and, thereafter, brief him.
 
Mr Stephenson told The Sunday Gleaner that he will make a formal report to the police on Monday.
 
In an interview on Saturday, Justice Panton said there were also senior politicians making defamatory comments about the commissioners of the IC.
 
"I will not be intimidated by any of them," he declared. 
 
He stressed that his colleagues have remained silent in relation to the attacks and the defamatory statements.
 
The IC Chairman also charged that a Member of Parliament from a rural parish had circulated images of him and the directors with "a scandalous statement" that they are trying to bring down either the government or the Prime Minister. 
 
Executive Director of the Integrity Commission, Greg Christie said the Commission increased its security arrangements last week after a well-known blogger invited people to protest against the Commission at its New Kingston headquarters.
 
Only a small group showed up.
 
The Commission's Ddirector of Investigation had found what "appeared to be unexplained growth" of $1.9 million in the Prime Minister's declared assets for 2022.
 
Additionally, questions arose regarding deposit transactions totaling $473 million and withdrawal transactions totalling $427 million involving companies connected to Mr Holness. 
 
The report also raised issues of tax compliance and the use of charity funds.
 
The Chairman and Commissioners of the Integrity Commission are to appear before the Oversight Committee of Parliament at its meeting set for Thursday, October 3.
 
The Commissioners are expected to discuss with the committee recent reports and any other matter related to the Commission's oversight responsibilities. 
 
                                
 


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