Accountability watchdogs are calling for the resignation of Speaker of the Jamaican House of Representatives, Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, over her handling of an Integrity Commission report in which she was accused of making false statutory declarations from 2015 to 2020.

During a sitting of the House of Parliament yesterday, Dalrymple-Philibert refused to entertain questions about the report, insisting that she referred it to two parliamentary committees, the oversight committee examining the Integrity Commission’s operations and the Ethics Committee, which she chairs. She added that when the report is to be discussed at the committee, she will temporarily remove herself from the position as chair for the discussions to be had.

In a statement by the National Integrity Action (NIA) and the Advocates Network (AN), today labelled the speaker’s actions as undemocratic and demanded that she resign immediately.

“The events of yesterday in our Parliament should not have occurred. It is undemocratic for the Speaker to preside over the hearing relating to a report about her conduct. She is the subject of the report from the Integrity Commission, and the director of corruption prosecution has ruled that she be charged with multiple offences committed between 2015 and 2021,” the advocacy groups argued.

The groups noted that the precedent is that persons being investigated must step aside until the investigation has concluded. However, Dalrymple-Philibert is adamant that she did nothing wrong and has refused to step aside.

According to the watchdogs, the matter demonstrates an urgent need for a code of conduct for parliamentarians.

“Integrity must be a guiding principle for our politicians, they must set the example and do the right thing. Good Governance demands it,” the lobby groups said.

The report states that the House Speaker failed to include a 2015 Mercedes Benz GLA 250 in her statutory declarations. When questioned about the omission, she said she did not own the vehicle. However, after documents confirmed her ownership, Dalrymple-Philibert said her denial was due to a lapse in memory.