The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has demanded a “swift and thorough” explanation from the Integrity Commission for its failure to reveal a ruling exhonerating Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the same time it tabled a report into an investigation which found reason to report the head of the Jamaican Government for possible conflict of interest and breaches of corruption legislation.

In a statement this morning, the PSOJ said it was appalled by the disclosures shared in the media, indicating that the Integrity Commission tabled the report in Parliament this past Tuesday (February 14) and failed to reveal the ruling by the Director of Corruption Prosecution (DCP) that the activities described in the report did not give rise to prosecutable offences and that no charges were to be brought.

That Integrity Commission Report had been finalised last October and the DCP’s ruling handed down on January 13.

However, before the DCP ruling was sent to the Parliament yesterday (February 16), the allegations contained in the October report were widely reported in local and international media on Wednesday (February 15), leading Opposition Leader Mark Golding to hold a press conference at which he called for the prime minister to step aside until a determination on whether he should be prosecuted had been made.   

“The report, which cited allegations of potential conflict of interest regarding the award of Government contracts during the period 2006-2009 was brought to local and international attention, following its tabling in Parliament absent the exculpatory ruling from the Director of Corruption Prosecution,” the PSOJ said today.   

“The consequences of that egregious act has resulted in irreparable damage being occasioned to the office of the Prime Minister – the highest elected office in the country – by virtue of the public opprobrium which understandably resulted from the partial disclosure.  

“Further, incalculable damage has been imposed on the country’s brand, even as we arduously work to root out corruption at all stages of our society. Additionally, the office of the Integrity Commission has been brought into disrepute by the careless or intentional omission, which is lamentable given its integral role in holding public officials to the highest standard of integrity and ethics and the need to build and maintain public confidence in that entity’s work.”

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang has reportedly indicated that the Government has lost confidence in Greg Christie, executive director of the Integrity Commission, who, curiously, spent time on Tuesday retweeting published news articles outlining the details of the October report, but did not take the opportunity to indicate that there had already been a ruling.

Individuals with whom Our Today spoke indicated that Christie was not likely to have commented on the ruling as it had not yet been communicated to Parliament.

Today the PSOJ said it believed the Integrity Commission must remain an independent and non-partisan institution, and that its operations should be conducted in a manner that will promote transparency and accountability at all times.

“The citizens of Jamaica have a right to know the truth and if the truth is that the processes of the Integrity Commission lack efficiency or competence we must know, and consequences must follow including but not limited to the resignation of whomever is responsible,” the PSOJ said.