Opposition Spokesperson on Information Nickeisha Burchell - Gleaner file photo
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Nekeisha Burchell, Opposition Spokesperson on Information
By Nakinskie Robinson
The parliamentary opposition is staunchly rejecting a report in a local newspaper claiming that five politicians linked to the People's National Party have been referred to the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment.
In the article published Tuesday, the paper wrote that its months-long investigation had uncovered allegations that two members of the opposition bench are accused of laundering ill-gotten gains and failing to report their total assets to the Commission.
It said a high-ranking member of the PNP is accused of using international banking accounts to hide millions in assets.
The probe also claimed that a senior municipal corporation member was accused of underreporting his assets.
The article said there is no documentation to support the allegations.
But the PNP has described the report as speculative.
Opposition Spokesperson on Information Nickeisha Burchell moved to distance the PNP from the allegations in the article.
"What they are suggesting, based on my understanding, is that malicious stories may have been concocted and sent to the Integrity Commission for partisan political reasons without any foundation whatsoever. The reporting is entirely separate from the eight sitting MPs cited by the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment," she argued.
She further contended that the report is "a blatant attempt to confuse and mislead the public", adding that until the government reconvenes Parliament and tables the three reports sent by the Integrity Commission, "all we have in the public domain is speculation".
She insisted the PNP is not aware of any ongoing investigations that relate to its members.
The newspaper article said three Jamaica Labour Party politicians have also been referred to the Commission for illicit enrichment.
Opposition Leader Mark Golding has continuously maintained that none of his members in the Houses of Parliament are aware of being investigated by the Commission.
The Integrity Commission, in its recent annual report, said eight politicians are being investigated for illicit enrichment, leading to widespread speculation in the public domain. But the commission has been adamant that based on law, it cannot make any public pronouncements in relation to a probe before a report is tabled in Parliament.
By law, the Commission is obligated to investigate allegations against a public official.
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