Yesterday, it was said that the Integrity Commission had all but put a noose around Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ neck and that his reputation and political career had been dealt a fatal blow.

A renown broadcast journalist even called for Parliament to be convened today so that the nation could be appraised of what transgressions had transpired.

The Prime Minister had not declared a number of accounts and should be prosecuted. This was most unbecoming of a Prime Minister and spoke to the rampant corruption bedevilling Jamaican politics; it was bellowed.

With Dr Nigel Clarke on his way out to take up his post as Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, could the Prime Minister find himself in the crosshairs of a prosecutor looking to bag a big scalp?

Certainly, this government would have little chance of retaining power at the next general election—it was toast now!

Some politicos rubbed their hands in glee. It was the moment they were waiting for.

It turns out it was innocuous, hardly egregious, certainly no matter of wilful commission or omission.

Illicit enrichment has been the buzz term all summer, and everyone wants to know just who are the illicit eight.

Some speculated the Prime Minister was among this band of miscreants, and so when the news broke, many were quick to point the finger.

As it turns out, the Prime Minister’s name was found on four undeclared bank accounts, which totalled a grand sum of J$384,00—the price of two Paul Smith suits. Mind you, Paul Smith makes good suits!

So why would Andrew Holness endanger himself, his family, and his party for such a paltry amount of money? Sure, the higher you ascend, the more one must abide by the letter of the law. Understandably, one is held to a higher standard.

By all accounts, these contentious four bank accounts saw one belonging to the Prime Minister’s father, another to his former constituency office manager, and two opened in his mother’s name. Andrew Holness’s name was on these for the purpose of an emergency. He had no knowledge of these accounts.

Now if you want to get technical, hold his feet to the fire. Those looking to land political punches, you can split hairs on this.

It is unlikely there was malice aforethought here.

Andrew Holness is a student of politics and keeps his cards close to his chest. But he now surely sees that events can get ahead of you. His statutory declarations situation has been stinking up the air like rotting fish for some time. He needed to deal with that and bring closure to that question. He allowed it to fester. He shouldn’t have to get into election battle mode with this weighing him down. It is a sore his political enemies continue to pick at.

There is nothing to prosecute the Prime Minister for here. An investigation has taken place, and a report on the matter has been given to Parliament.

It has caused a frisson of excitement, which will dissipate by the weekend.

What is perhaps more intriguing are reports that the illicit eight consist of five PNP members and just three JLP members. That certainly turns this story on its head. For some time it was thought that these malefactors were all members of the JLP and that they abused their position to enrich themselves. What a corrupt government!

Now it is the turn of the PNP to defend itself and put distance between it and a yet-to-be-released accusatory Integrity Commission report.

Right now, there is plenty of conjecture, accusations flying all over the place, fingers being pointed, but until we all see that Integrity Commission report and those named in it, we all better sit down and remain calm, perhaps put the kettle on, and have a cup of tea and a biscuit.