PNP President Mark Golding - file photo
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PNP President Mark Golding
By Kimone Witter
People's National Party president Mark Golding has called for Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who will oversee new appointments of key officials to the Integrity Commission, to ensure none are politically affiliated.
According to the Integrity Commission Act, Commissioners of the anti-corruption body, with the exception of the Auditor General, are appointed by the Governor General after consultation with the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
Retired justice Seymour Panton has said he will not seek an extension of his seven-year term which ends on February 25.
The terms of one other commissioner, Eric Crawford, and four directors are set to expire between February and July this year.
All are eligible for re-appointment.
Speaking at a meeting in West Central St. Andrew on Sunday, Mr. Golding warned against interference in the process in the wake of attacks from some government parliamentarians on the Integrity Commission.
"I say to our Governor General, Excellency, do the right thing. We know some vacancies are coming up. Make sure that no political hacks, no strongly politically affiliated people are appointed commissioners of the Integrity Commission, because that institution needs to be protected," he cautioned.
Reiterating his suggestion that the eight parliamentarians under IC investigation are likely members of the Jamaica Labour Party, the PNP president insisted the JLP should not be allowed to interfere unduely in the new appointments at the Commission.
"And I hear in [the newspaper] where some undisclosed JLP parliamentarian told the journalist that they are approaching the appointments strategically. There is no strategy involved in this. All that matters is that reputable, competent, independent persons are appointed who have no axe to grind other than to get to the truth," said Mr. Golding.
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