The People’s National Party (PNP) Women’s Movement has joined the growing call for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, following revelations that he was under investigation by the Integrity Commission (IC) for illicit enrichment and failed to inform the nation for over a year. 

The PNP Women’s Movement believes that Prime Minister Holness’s failure to be forthcoming with the Jamaican people about this investigation constitutes a serious breach of trust.

The Integrity Commission’s report, which was recently made public, outlines that during the period of investigation, approximately J$400 million was moved between multiple accounts belonging to three companies of which he is the major shareholder.

“This matter has been referred to the FID as they were unable to ascertain a satisfactory explanation. A referral for further action was also made to the Tax Administration Department as two of these companies filed nil returns despite having significant activity in their accounts. The fact that both of these agencies are directly supervised by a cabinet minister and ultimately the Prime Minister, suggests a conflict of interest and further suggests that he should relinquish his role while this investigation is carried out,” the PNP Women’s Movement said.

President of the PNP Women’s Movement, Patricia Duncan Sutherland, made it clear that the organisation’s call for Holness to step down is rooted in his lack of transparency and the conflict of interest that arises from this ongoing investigation. “The issue here is not just about the investigation, but about the prime minister’s deliberate omission of the fact that he was being investigated. For over a year, he has chosen not to disclose this crucial information to the public. The people of Jamaica deserve leaders who are honest and transparent. This is not just a failure of governance; it is a failure of character,” she said.

The PNP Women’s Movement stresses that transparency and integrity are essential qualities for anyone holding public office. The Women’s Movement believes that the prime minister’s actions have eroded public trust and undermined the principles of accountability that are fundamental to Jamaica’s democracy.

“We must hold our politicians to a higher standard of transparency. When leaders fail in this regard, it is the people who suffer,” said Duncan-Sutherland. “We, therefore, urge Prime Minister Holness to resign or call a general election to allow for the restoration of confidence in our government and its institutions.”