Munroe urges leaders to sign code proposed by Integrity Commission
Published:Thursday | January 5, 2023 | 1:32 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Staff Reporter
Principal Director of National Integrity Action, Professor Emeritus Trevor Munroe, is urging Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding to promptly sign the leadership code of conduct sent to them for signature by the Integrity Commission (IC).
With the Vale Royal talks expected to resume this month, Munroe suggested that the signing of the code of conduct take place at the first meeting.
Among other principles, the code commits each leader to honesty, accountability, and openness in fulfilling their public duties.
“At a time when leaders in all sectors are called on to set an example – in word and deeds – in raising rapidly declining standards of public behaviour, further delay in our political leaders’ commitment to adhere to ethical behaviour is unacceptable,” he said.
“It is the more unacceptable as the seven principles the IC is asking each to publicly endorse are identical to those in Jamaica’s Code of Conduct for Ministers. These were actually promulgated on April 25, 2002, in Ministry Paper No. 19, under the signature of then Prime Minister P. J. Patterson,” he added.
Over 20 years later, said Munroe, further delay or refusal to publicly sign on to this code can only reinforce long-standing public distrust and declining confidence in the country’s political leadership.
The IC told The Gleaner on Wednesday that neither Holness nor Golding had communicated with the anti-corruption body regarding an invitation by the commission for them to sign the code of conduct.
On November 15, 2022, the commission sent the document to both leaders for signing,but to date, Christie said: “If either the prime minister or the leader of the Opposition has signed the document, the commission is not aware of it.”
The Leadership Code of Conduct contains seven principles of public life. The first, selflessness, urges holders of public office to act solely in terms of the public interest.
“They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or friends,” the code added.
Another principle states that the “holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to individuals or organisations that might seek to encourage improper behaviour in the performance of their official duties”.
A third principle highlighted by the commission is honesty.
“Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest,” it proposed.
The other principles are objectivity, accountability, openness, and leadership.
The IC is mandated and empowered by law to develop codes of conduct for public bodies and public officials.
Section 6(1)(g) of the Integrity Commission Act states that it is a function of the commission “to prepare codes of conduct and other advisory material relating to corruption”.