IC pushing for Warmington's removal from parliamentary committees

The Integrity Commission (IC) says it will be seeking to have former minister with responsibility for works, Everald Warmington, removed from the Integrity Commission Parliament Oversight Committee and the Joint Select Committee for the Review of the Integrity Commission Act.

The IC said a decision was taken at its meeting on Monday to write to the chairmen of both committees following Warmington's recent resignation from the Cabinet over his statement that he would withhold public funds from an elected People's National Party councillor.

"This recommendation is made, among other things, in light of the preamble of the Act which states that the Act is 'to Promote and enhance standards of ethical conduct for Parliamentarians, Public Officials and other persons…'" the Integrity Commission said in a media release on Tuesday.

The Commission said the former minister's actions fall "well short" of standards and conduct that are becoming of a Cabinet minister and parliamentarian.

The Integrity Commission said it will also be writing to the Speaker of the House, Juliet Holness, suggesting that the Ethics Committee addresses the matter.

"This step is seen as essential to ensure that the issue is appropriately handled within the parliamentary framework," it said.

Speaking to JLP supporters following last week Monday's Local Government Elections in which the PNP's  Dr Kurt Waul won in the Old Harbour South Division, Warmington had stated: "I'm the minister of works, I'm the member of parliament, no PNP councillor going spend my money."

At the same time, Warmington said the JLP's losing candidate, Lloyd Grant "might not be councillor but he will spend every dime." 

Warmington subsequently issued a statement saying that his comments had been "misunderstood"  and that he was withdrawing them.

Last week Thursday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he met with Warmington and at the end of the meeting he received Warmington's resignation.

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