Jamaican government senators stand with PM following integrity report

Photo: Kamina Johnson Smith (Photo courtesy CMC).

The caucus of government senators is giving their full support to Prime Minister Andrew Holness following the tabling of the Integrity Commission’s report in Parliament earlier this week.

In a statement on Thursday, the 13 government senators said they have noted that the report found no basis for prosecution and highlighted the credibility of an explanation proffered by the prime minister.

“The Senate caucus also notes that despite a prolonged investigation, which involved the hiring of an international forensic accountant, the commission did not conclude the prime minister acted unlawfully or unethically. We are fully confident in Prime Minister Holness’ integrity and his continued distinguished stewardship of Jamaica”, the government senators said.

Additionally, the government senators said they strongly reject what they described as “dangerous, partisan, misleading and desperate coordinated attacks on the Prime Minister from the Opposition and their surrogates in sections of civil society and on social media”.

The statement on behalf of the 13 government senators was issued under the signature of the Government Leader in the Upper House of Parliament, Kamina Johnson Smith.

On Wednesday the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) called for Holness to step down to in light of the Integrity Commission’s report on its investigation into the income and assets declarations submitted by Holness for 2019-2022.

But in response, the JLP rejected the call and the party maintains that the Integrity Commission report upon which the PNP premised its call, found the Prime Minister culpable of no wrongdoing.

It said the Director of Corruption Prosecution was clear in suggesting that the Prime Minister’s explanation is credible and therefore prosecution is unwarranted.

JLP spokesperson Juliet Cuthbert Flynn said the position taken by the PNP is baseless.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Sep. 19, CMC –

CMC/jm/kb/2024

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