Integrity Commission invites FID to probe its report on PM Holness' funds

   

 

The Integrity Commission has invited the Financial Investigations Division to examine its investigation report into the statutory declarations submitted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness for the years 2019-2022.

 

The commission is recommending that the FID probes the funding and operations of companies associated with Mr. Holness, namely Positive Media, Positive Jamaica Foundation and Greenemerald.

 

In a special report tabled alongside its investigation report, the commission urged Parliament to support its referral to the FID, indicating that the declarations for 2021 and 2022 cannot be certified until the FID has completed its work.

 

The commission cited among other areas of concern, deposits and withdrawals to three companies to which the Prime Minister was connected or had financial interests in, namely Imperium, Positive Media and Estatebridge. 

 

It said a forensic examination of bank accounts attributable to Mr. Holness and the referenced companies for the period January 1, 2020 to June 13, 2023, revealed intercompany deposits of just over $473 million and withdrawals of just over $427 million.

 

It added that it is up to the FID to determine whether the companies named are operating within the parameters of the laws of Jamaica.

 

The commission has also made recommendations for Tax Administration Jamaica and the Financial Services Commission to probe aspects of the report.

 

 

In an impassioned statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, Prime Minister Andrew Holness pledged to seek legal advice on the Integrity Commission's report. 

 

"I will take legal advice on this report and its recommendations, including recommendations for referral to other entities. And Mr. Speaker, I will continue to pray to God for guidance and strength as I continue to lead Jamaica," he declared. 

 

Mr. Holness, who stopped just short of labelling the probe a witch hunt, said his achievements are attributable to hard work. 

 

"I have worked hard, wisely, and honestly to achieve whatever I have. I have always sought to discharge my duties with respect and dignity, even for those who try to bring me down and do personal harm to my reputation. The weaponisation of accusations of corruption is nothing new in politics. However, even the most sceptical onlooker must conclude that the handling of this matter, the time it has taken, the public resources used to pursue it, raise cause for concern on many levels," insisted the Prime Minister.

 

The Integrity Commission Act, he added, must be revised to prevent what he terms the politicisation of the anti-corruption body. 

 

"The current context of its operations does weaken its credibility. We must also ensure that the commission itself is efficient and pays due regard to the use of public funds and the time and resources required of public officials to comply. To this end, the law must ensure that the work of the commission focuses on relevant, significant and material issues," he said.