The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is today (February 17) insisting that the report tabled by the Integrity Commission with regard to an alleged conflict of interest involving Prime Minister Andrew Holness is still a major cause for concern.

The PNP, in a statement this afternoon, argued that the ruling of the Director of Corruption Prosecution in no way invalidates the contents of the report by the Director of Investigation.

Holness, who has denied any wrongdoing, is not expected to face prosecution in relation to reports of a conflict of interest over the alleged issuing of multimillion-dollar government contracts to close associates.

See statement in full below:

“In light of the explanation given by the Integrity Commission regarding its decision not to simultaneously table its report implicating Prime Minister Holness in allegations of conflict of interest and its ruling on the report, the Opposition People’s National Party maintains that the content of the report are cause for serious concern.

We note that there has been no sanitizing of the basic facts found by the investigation report. The serious conflict of interest and cronyism inherent in the findings that Andrew Holness’ referring his close associate’s company for contracts funded by public resources, have not been refuted, neither has his admitted participation in the scheme to retroactively make his close associate the contracting party for Christmas work which had already been done. 

The Director of Corruption Prosecutions has found that there was not enough evidence to mount a successful criminal prosecution; however, that is very different from exoneration. The narrative being promoted in some quarters that Andrew Holness has been exonerated by the decision not to prosecute is fundamentally misleading.

We note once again that, the ruling of the Director of Corruption Prosecution does not change the content of the report of the Director of Investigation. The Court of Public Opinion has read the 107-page Report and they will judge the Prime Minister for his actions.”

READ MORE:

• Opposition ‘appalled’ as Holness cited for conflict of interest, possible breaches of Corruption Act
• Holness rejects findings of Integrity Commission report
• Integrity Commission ruled in January that Holness will not be prosecuted
• ‘Appalled!’: PSOJ demands answers, possible resignations from Integrity Commission
• Government senators demand Greg Christie’s removal from Integrity Commission