Sibblies’ law firm exempted
Published:Monday | June 7, 2021 | 12:14 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Staff Reporter
Edmund Bartlett, the leader of government business in the House of Representatives, on November 3, referred three motions to the Ethics Committee, one of which related specifically to Clarendon Northern Member of Parliament Dwight Sibblies.
The matter concerning Sibblies, which was referred to the Ethics Committee, sought to get an exemption for the lawmaker from relinquishing his seat as an MP owing to the fact that as a partner at Sibblies & Associates attorneys-at-law, his company may from time to time enter into contracts with the Government and affiliated agencies.
The Constitution allows for the exemption.
The Ethics Committee deliberated and submitted a report on November 17 that granted exemption to the MP as a partner at Sibblies & Associates.
However, the Ethics Committee, in its report, also mentioned the Clarendon Northern MP who “is contracted to the University of Technology, Jamaica, as chief internal auditor”. Bartlett did not cite the verbatim UTech reference in his November 3 motion to Parliament.
Four members deliberated on the matter, including chairman and Speaker of the House of Representatives Marisa Dalrymple Philibert, Phillip Henriques, Tamika Davis, and Dr Morais Guy. Three members of the committee were absent. They are Tova Hamilton, Ann-Marie Vaz, and Kerensia Morrison. The report was signed by Dalrymple Philibert, Henriques, Morrison, Davis, and Guy.
Speaking with The Gleaner on Sunday evening, Bartlett said that “what the exemption does is to enable you to function as a member of the House whilst performing those other functions”.
With Sibblies sitting on six committees of parliament and working with the UTech while carrying out his task as MP, Bartlett was asked whether he felt that the lawmaker could carry out his duties effectively.
“That is not for you to question or me ... for his efficiencies to be measured. I wouldn’t go there because I am involved in a million and one things myself, both locally and internationally, and we function,” he said.
Last week, The Gleaner requested and obtained information from Parliament that shows that Sibblies is earning a basic salary as MP of $4,164,686, with travelling amounting to $894,924. A driver has been assigned to the MP, with Parliament defraying the cost amounting to more than half a million dollars.
Sibblies has applied for a motor vehicle concession as an MP to which he is entitled.
The Gleaner sought on Friday answers from the management of the UTech on his salary and emoluments, but up to the time of publication, the institution had not provided that information.
Questions to UTech sent by Gleaner June 4
1. Can you confirm if Mr Dwight Sibblies is employed to the University of Technology (UTech) as its chief internal auditor?
2. Is he employed on a fixed-term contract or otherwise appointed?
3. How long has he been employed in that position?
4. Please provide a breakdown of the salary and emoluments of Mr Sibblies and specify if he gets a travelling allowance.
5. Has Mr Sibblies benefited from a motor vehicle concession at the UTech in the last five years? If yes, please specify the date.
6. Does UTech currently pay Mr Sibblies’ full salary and emoluments?
7. Based on Mr Sibblies’ duties as the member of parliament for Clarendon Northern and as a lawmaker sitting on the following committees of Parliament: Public Accounts; Public Administration and Appropriations; Infrastructure and Physical Development; House Standing Order; Joint Select Committee on the National Identification and Registration Act; and the Joint Select Committee on Sexual Harassment, is the management of the University of Technology satisfied that he is able to effectively carry out his substantive job as chief internal auditor?
8. Does UTech policy allow its auditors to hold other jobs while still employed to the university?
9. If yes, explain the circumstances that allow for this to happen?
10. Did the leadership of UTech ask Mr Sibblies to resign when he became a candidate for the Jamaica Labour Party in the run-up to the September 3, 2020, general election?
11. Did the leadership of UTech ask Mr Sibblies to resign when he became a member of parliament?