Full Text | PM addresses Integrity Commission report on statutory declarations

Prime Minister Andrew Holness this afternoon delivered a statement in Parliament responding to the findings of a report by the Integrity Commission into his income and assets.

Holness said he will be challenging several of the findings, citing “errors” made by the entity.

“I reject this finding,” Holness declared.

See full statement below

Mr Speaker, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, the Integrity Commission submitted an Investigation Report, Ruling and Special Report to Parliament concerning an investigation into my Statutory Declarations for 2021.  The Reports have now been tabled and I have since had a chance to read the concluding paragraphs of the Ruling by the Director of Corruption Prosecution, the 5-page summary, and peruse the recommendations and conclusion. While acknowledging that the report together total just under 200 pages, the parts that I have read appear to give a sufficient sense of the findings.

First, I welcome the fact that the report is finally tabled two years since this process began. I also take note of the fact that the Commission tabled both the Report and the Ruling of the Director of Corruption Prosecution at the same time. The last time this was not done.

Bank Accounts 

Based on what is said in the Summary, queries were triggered because I had omitted bank accounts from my declarations and one of these accounts was incorrectly reported as a US Dollar balance by the financial institution. These matters were cleared as the accounts were cleared as the accounts in question by my recollection were, dormant, previously reported and the balances in them were JMD3,000.00 and Euro 200.

Subsequently, my declarations were once again referred for further scrutiny for accuracy and completeness. Other accounts we identified as belonging to me but undeclared. Some of these accounts were opened by my parents as far back as 1975 and my name added later, probably while I was still a child. Many Jamaicans add persons to their accounts for survivorship and in the event of emergency. I have never claimed these as my assets.

I am satisfied that the Director of Corruption Prosecution ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support claims that I intentionally omitted bank accounts from my declaration and that there is greater evidence to support my explanation as opposed to evidence to the contrary.  I also note that no other matter in the report was referred to the authorised authority, the Director of Corruption Prosecution.   

The Summary of the Report, outlined that all my personal financial affairs from 2018 to 2023 was examined, including associated private third-party businesses and transactions. Over 3,600 transactions examined, 28 bank accounts, over 80 witness statements collected. This effort to pursue me and my affairs led to the hiring of an “international forensic accounting examiner” for 6 months.

Assets

As far as I am aware only my 2021 declaration was submitted for investigation. After this most thorough interrogation of my personal affairs, which is not in any way connected to public funds, or a benefit resulting from my office, they were “unable to come to a conclusion regarding illicit enrichment”.

Nonetheless, they concluded that in one of the 5 years they examined, 2022, there was unexplained growth in net-worth of JMD1.9million or less than 1% of my total net assets. I reject this finding, based on materiality and significance. While I have not had a chance to fully review their specific calculations, just on a cursory review I, have seen an error in figures they have used in their calculations.

I reject the finding that I acquired an asset for which the source of fund is not adequately explained. The Commission pointed out that this whole episode started with an incorrect statement from a bank.

So too was the asset in question the subject of errors by the financial institution that managed the asset. While I authorised the transaction, from the outset of the acquisition of the asset in 2019, I was unaware that the financial institution had assigned an amount in error to my account, from an associated company. A year later, the investment instrument, a bond, was called by the issuer, and the financial institution made another error and pooled my funds with the associated company funds. As soon as I discovered this pooling error, I alerted the institution and instructed that the accounts be correctly separated, however the initial incorrect assignment was not corrected at that time. I only became aware of the discrepancy when the institution alerted me in June of this year. Once it was brought to my attention the funds incorrectly assigned to my account in 2019 was rectified. 

No Hindrance 

I also reject claim in the report that I have hindered the examinations of my Declarations by not supplying information requested. Let it be known that I have complied with any obligation placed on me within the law. The company with which I am the directly associated is compliant and up to date with its tax filings.

Working For What I Have

I have been involved in political life for more than 30 years and I have been an elected member of this House for 27 years. I don't wear my background as badge or try to exploit my humble beginnings for political sympathy. I don't do that, because I believe in working for what I have. And I have worked hard, wisely and honestly to achieve whatever I have. I have never depended on the public purse. Indeed, I gave up the salary increase due to the Prime Minister in solidarity with all the people whose income levels is challenging. I have the privilege and awesome responsibility of leading this country and I take it seriously.

Regardless of the attempts to distract me and unnecessarily consume my time, I have never lost focus on ensuring a stable, resilient and growing economy, reducing unemployment, improving our security as a nation, building out our infrastructure and providing support for the most vulnerable in our society.  Furthermore, I have always sought to discharge my duties, with respect and dignity. Even for those who try to bring me down and do personal harm to my reputation. The weaponisation of accusation of corruption is nothing new in politics, however, even the most sceptical onlooker must conclude that the handling of this matter, the time it has taken, and the public resources used to pursue it raise cause for concern on many levels.

Legal Advice

While I will not pursue the view that this was politicised, I believe it is commonly agreed that the law governing the IC is in urgent need of revision. The current context of its operation does weaken its credibility, and we must do everything to ensure that the appropriate laws are in place to prevent the politicisation of the Commission. We must also ensure that the Commission itself is efficient and pays due regard to use of public funds and the time and resources required of public officials to comply. To this end the law, must ensure that the work of the Commission focuses on relevant, significant and material issues.   

I will take further legal advice on this report and determine the way forward and I will continue to pray to God for guidance and strength as I continue to lead Jamaica.  

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