The People’s National Party is calling on Andrew Holness to resign as prime minister for the best interest of the nation in the wake of revelations made in an Integrity Commission probe of his financial affairs.  

“The People’s National Party (PNP) is deeply disturbed and appalled by the revelations outlined in the Integrity Commission’s investigative report into Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s financial affairs. The report, which spans 171 pages, details a series of troubling findings that call into question the prime minister’s integrity and suitability for office,” the PNP said in a release to the media.

“The PNP shares in the public’s shock and calls for accountability at the highest level. The prime minister must act in the best interest of the nation and leave office to preserve the dignity of Jamaica’s democracy,” the PNP said.

The party said: “His continued presence in office is a disservice to the Jamaican people and our democratic system.”

The PNP said it is currently reviewing the full report with its legal team and officers to ensure that it fully understands the implications of the investigation. The PNP said it will address the Jamaican people more substantially and comprehensively after carefully analysing the details of the report.

Still, the party said based on its initial review, the following key points must be made:

• Andrew Michael Holness has deliberately misled the country and Parliament:

The PNP explains:

On August 22, 2023, the Prime Minister stated, “I have asked as far and as wide, and I haven’t got that response from everyone, but as far as I have been told no. I have not heard of anyone in my political party being written to for this matter of illicit enrichment.”

“Today, we know this statement was a blatant lie. Mr Holness was written to by the Integrity Commission on May 5, 2023, informing him that he was under investigation for illicit enrichment. 

Furthermore, even as his own Members of Parliament attacked the Integrity Commission, Mr Holness addressed Parliament on June 13, 2023, failing to disclose that he was under active investigation. He deliberately withheld the truth from both Parliament and the Jamaican people.

• Referral to the Financial Investigations Division (FID):

The recommendation that various opaque and questionable financial transactions involving Mr Holness and his private companies be referred to the Financial Investigations Division (FID) for further investigation suggests this is far from over. The FID is a law enforcement body that investigates financial crimes, and this referral could unearth even more damaging information as investigations continue.

• Serious tax irregularities:

The report also points to serious tax irregularities on the part of Mr Holness’s companies and recommends that these issues be referred to the Commissioner General of Tax Administration Jamaica. This further compounds the untenable situation that faces the prime minister. 

• Statutory declarations for three consecutive years remain uncertified:

The prime minister’s statutory declarations for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, and 2023) are yet to be certified by the Integrity Commission. Certification will not occur until the financial investigations are concluded. This failure to certify the prime minister’s financial declarations adds another layer of doubt regarding his transparency and financial conduct.

• Unprecedented crisis of confidence in the prime minister’s leadership:

Jamaica now finds itself in an unprecedented situation where its head of government is embroiled in a prolonged and unresolved integrity investigation. The state apparatus is investigating its own Prime Minister. Despite his reassurances in Parliament, Mr Holness is clearly distracted by the fight to clear his name. This battle, being waged from the highest office in the land, is undermining our democratic system and eroding public confidence in the government.

• The prime minister must leave office immediately:

The Office of the Prime Minister must be a beacon of integrity, not a place to shield oneself from scrutiny. Mr Holness’s ongoing rearguard action to remain in power under a cloud of suspicion is unacceptable. We call on him to do the right thing and step down immediately. His continued presence in office is a disservice to the Jamaican people and our democratic system.