PM says no gov't member has so far indicated they are under IC probe

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says he is continuing talks with Jamaica Labour Party parliamentarians to determine if they are being investigated by the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment.

 

There are reports that six parliamentarians are being investigated.

 

Speaking to journalists Thursday afternoon in Clarendon, Mr. Holness said none of the those to whom he has spoken say they are being investigated. 

 

"The question is still going to be asked, 'Are there members of my party who have been written to for this crime of illicit enrichment?' My straight answer is that I have asked as far and as wide, I haven't gotten a response from everyone, but as far as I have been told, no. People have been written to, as the Integrity Commission does almost daily, but I have not heard of anyone in my political party being written to for this matter of illicit enrichment," he disclosed.   

 

 

The government has been taken to task after it indicated its decision not to comment on matters being investigated by the Integrity Commission.

 

Information Minister Robert Morgan made the declaration at Wednesday's post cabinet press briefing, when asked whether any government member had been informed by the Integrity Commission that they are under investigation for illicit enrichment. 

 

Transparency watchdog, National Integrity Action, has said the position taken by the government flies in the face of transparency. 

 

Speaking Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, NIA Principal Director Danielle Archer said parliamentarians and ordinary citizens should be treated equally. 

 

"When an ordinary Jamaican is suspected by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and they believe that which you do is of some threat to national security, or just mere suspicion, they place you in a database permanently, in perpetuity. You can't come off, and you have what is called an adverse trace. How different it is though for our politicians when there are merely investigations - no convictions, no charges - but we can't even know their names," she complained. 

 

Ms Archer said there is no validation for the protection of the reputation of these individuals, arguing that there is a lack of accountability among parliamentarians. 

 

But Mr. Holness has suggested that naming persons before investigations are complete could unnecessarily damage one's reputation. 

 

"When the investigations are at a point of maturity, are at a point where they are going to be brought into a public court, then by all means, that should be disclosed. Now, what happens to someone who is being investigated, for which the investigation turns out to be spurious, or there are no bases for that? Is there a way to repair the damage done to that person?" he questioned.