Defending Prime Minister Andrew Holness: JLP Condemns Unrelenting Attacks by Integrity Commission

The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has defended its leader, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who expressed concern that the Integrity Commission (IC) is targeting him after a new report by the body was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

JLP Condemns Unrelenting Attacks

In a statement, the JLP said that there appears to be unrelenting, baseless, and coordinated attacks by a few agents within the Integrity Commission on Holness’s reputation and administration.

IC Report Finds Contravention of Planning Approval and Building Permit

The IC report stated that a residential development, which is still under construction, is being constructed contrary to the terms of the planning approval and building permit issued by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) on July 12, 2021. The development is owned by Estatebridge Holdings Limited, which has as its directors the prime minister’s son, Adam, and Norman Brown, the prime minister’s business partner and chairman of the Urban Development Corporation.

Holness Denies Any Involvement

However, Prime Minister Holness said he is not a director of the Company which is the subject of the report, neither is he a shareholder or the owner of the property in question. “Therefore, it is a puzzle to me why I am a subject of this report,” Holness said, adding that he has been informed that the development has been inspected by the competent authority, “which has confirmed that a number of rooms approved are the number of rooms constructed.”

Concerns Over Timing of Report

Holness also expressed concern over the timing of the report, saying it seems more than coincidence that the report was submitted to Parliament a few days before the judgment of the Supreme Court in a matter in which he is seeking judicial review of another report of the Commission. “It seems more than coincidence that this report was submitted to Parliament a few days before the judgment of the Supreme Court in a matter in which I am seeking judicial review of another report of the Commission,” Holness said.

JLP Calls for Fair and Transparent Investigation

The JLP called for a fair and transparent investigation into the matter, saying that the Commission’s actions appear to be unrelenting and biased. “We support the institution that is the Integrity Commission and insist that the anti-corruption fight not be sabotaged or undermined in any way, shape, or form,” the party said.

Conclusion

The JLP’s defense of Prime Minister Holness comes amid concerns over the Integrity Commission’s handling of the matter. The Commission’s report has been criticized for its timing and its failure to provide concrete evidence of any wrongdoing by the Prime Minister. The JLP has called for a fair and transparent investigation into the matter, and has accused the Commission of acting unfairly and biasedly.

FAQs

Q: What is the Integrity Commission’s report about?
A: The report is about a residential development that is being constructed contrary to the terms of the planning approval and building permit issued by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation.

Q: What is Prime Minister Holness’s involvement in the matter?
A: Prime Minister Holness denies any involvement in the matter, saying he is not a director of the Company which is the subject of the report, neither is he a shareholder or the owner of the property in question.

Q: Why is the JLP defending Prime Minister Holness?
A: The JLP is defending Prime Minister Holness because it believes that the Integrity Commission’s actions are unrelenting and biased. The party has called for a fair and transparent investigation into the matter.