Government MPs reject motion to support Integrity Commission’s recommendation to investigate PM’s statutory declarations
/ Our Today
administratorA motion in support of the Integrity Commission’s (IC) recommendation to refer the investigation into Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s Statutory declarations to the Financial Investigations Division (FID) tabled by two opposition Members of Parliament (MP) today, September 24, was struck down by government MPs.
The motion, brought by Julian Robinson and Phillip Paulwell, followed the IC’s Special Report submitted to Parliament on September 5, 2024, which raised concerns about the Prime Minister’s declared assets between 2019 and 2022.
The motion called for the committee to accept the Integrity Commission’s recommendation to refer the matter to the FID for further investigation. The Government majority voted against the motion, citing procedural and timing concerns.
“In all my years on this committee, I have never seen us reject the recommendations of the Integrity Commission. This is a curious break in custom and raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability,” Paulwell said.
Additionally, Julian Robinson, the mover of the motion, also voiced his concern about the implications of the decision, stating: “The Integrity Commission Act grants the Commission the authority to refer matters to law enforcement bodies like the FID. By blocking this motion, the government is effectively stalling the investigation and denying the Jamaican people the transparency they deserve. This is not about politics—it’s about integrity and good governance.”
The Oppostion Members maintained that the outcome of the vote signals a worrying shift in how oversight bodies like the Integrity Commission are being treated.
Paulwell added that the government’s decision to block the motion sends a troubling message to the Jamaican public, suggesting that important checks and balances are being disregarded for political reasons.
“The PNP will not relent and will use all lawful means to ensure probity and keep the government honest while upholding principles of good governance and accountability,” he affirmed.
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