Dalrymple-Philibert pleads guilty to breaches of IC Act

 

In September 2023, Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert resigned as House Speaker and Member of Parliament following a ruling by the Integrity Commission that she be charged for making false statements on her statutory declarations.

 

The Integrity Commission had accused her of omitting a Mercedes-Benz motor vehicle from her documents submitted to the Commission between 2015 and 2021.

 

Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert was charged with eight counts: four for breaches of the Parliament (Integrity of Members) Act and four for breaches of the Integrity Commission Act.

 

When she appeared in court Friday morning, Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert decided not to contest some of the charges brought against her.

 

This decision follows a preliminary point raised by her attorney King's Counsel Peter Champagnie, which was considered by Parish Judge Leighton Morris in December 2024.

 

He noted that there was no clear provision for the Commission to have accepted Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert's declarations, particularly where she had corrected the record by declaring her ownership of the motor vehicle in question during an interview conducted by the officials of the anti-corruption agency.  

 

The correction was made by Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert by way of an updated Statutory Declaration, at the recommendation of the Commission and before any charges were brought against her.

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News on Friday afternoon, Mr. Champagnie explained that all of the offences are non-recordable offences and would not in any way adversely affect her parliamentary duties.

 

"In summary, of the eight charges that were before the court, two were discontinued. In respect of a few of the others, she was admonished and discharged, and in relation to the remaining three, a total of $900,000 fine was imposed or 10 days. I wish to emphasise that these matters are non-recordable offences and also I wish to emphasise that the position taken by my client was a noble one, especially in the fact that a preliminary point had been taken and certain areas in terms of the Act itself was discussed by the parish judge. And in all the circumstances, this was the best course to take," he disclosed. 

 

Mr. Champagnie urged lawmakers to reconsider the provisions of the Integrity Commission Act, suggesting that it should allow parliamentarians and other public officials the chance to make corrections to prior statutory declarations during an inquiry, without the need for court proceedings. 

 

"I do believe that it is common ground that the legislation is badly in need of review and was badly crafted," said the attorney, who added that "Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert continues to serve her constituency and has with her, of course, the highest level of reputation in that regard." 

 

Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert was re-elected as the parliamentary representative for Trelawny Southern following the November 2024 by-election.