PNP stands by assertion that no opposition parliamentarian is being investigated for illicit enrichment

The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) says it is alarmed at the "disgraceful concoction of misinformation and misdirection" being employed by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) following revelations that the Integrity Commission is investigating eight parliamentarians for illicit enrichment.

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Deputy General Secretary, Charles Sinclair, today called out PNP president Mark Golding for stating that no opposition parliamentarian is under investigation by the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment.

Sinclair asserted that the commission does not as a matter of practice write to individuals and state specifically that they are under probe for illicit enrichment.

However, in a subsequent media release, Opposition Spokesperson for Information and Public Communication, Nekeisha Burchell, accused Sinclair of attempting to mislead Jamaicans on the matter.

Burchell said the JLP "is fully aware that, to the contrary, the Integrity Commission does write to individuals who are under investigation for illicit enrichment and advises them of the investigation."

She said "this protocol ensures that those under scrutiny are aware of their status and can respond appropriately."

Sh further said that the Commission's Director of Investigation, Kevon Stephenson, in a public statement in Parliament, said, "All declarants who are being investigated for illicit enrichment must be so advised."

She said the statement was also shared by the Integrity Commission's Executive Director Greg Christie via an email to Parliament in August 2023.

"Therefore, Senator Sinclair's assertion that the PNP cannot speak with certainty on this matter is incorrect, and by extension, the JLP should also be able to say if the eight MPs under investigation sit among them," Burchell said. 

Burchell said the PNP stands by the previous statement by Golding that all 22 Opposition parliamentarians  have confirmed that they are not aware of being investigated by the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment.

She challenged Sinclair and the JLP to state unequivocally whether any of their members are under investigation for illicit enrichment.

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