Holness pulls up empty net in search for MPs under probe

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says consultations with government lawmakers to ascertain whether they are being investigated by the Integrity Commission (IC) for illicit enrichment has elicited a negative response.

“I have asked as far and as wide, and I haven’t got that response from everyone, but as far as I have been told, no,” Holness told journalists as he toured the Clarendon Northern constituency on Thursday.

“People have been written to, as the Integrity Commission does almost daily, but I have not heard of anyone in my political party being written to for this matter of illicit enrichment,” he added.

He called the pronouncements by the parliamentary Opposition that they have not been contacted by the IC as “political gimmickry”.

It was revealed earlier this week that the Holness administration imposed a gag order on government lawmakers, prohibiting them from speaking on matters relating to the anti-corruption body. This includes any being investigated for illicit enrichment.

On Thursday, Holness said that his administration had taken a decision not to comment on the work of the IC.

“A few months ago, the call was that government members and public officials should refrain from any form of conflict, any form of caustic debate on issues, and that we should allow the Integrity Commission to do its work without any form of interference,” the prime minister said.

He said that the IC should be allowed to go through the process that has been duly legislated in Parliament. Holness said that the results of any probe should be disclosed when complete.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding said on Thursday that the Government’s decision to bar government lawmakers from commenting on IC-related matters and the identities of the six legislators under investigation for illicit enrichment is shocking and deeply concerning.

He argued that the notion of creating a policy to shield ministers from speaking is a glaring attempt to obstruct transparency and evade the responsibility of elected officials to the Jamaican people.

“The excuse that this policy is intended to preserve the confidentiality of Cabinet deliberations disguises its true intent. In reality, it is a political manoeuvre to shield parliamentarians from being held accountable for their actions and potential wrongdoings. This is not the kind of leadership and governance that Jamaicans deserve,” charged Golding.

“The very essence of democratic governance hinges on transparency, accountability, and the duty of elected officials to provide explanations to the people they serve. This policy undermines these fundamental principles and erodes the trust between the Government and the citizens,” he added.