The Integrity Commission is denying that it divulged information about reports recently submitted to the House of Representatives for tabling.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Commission issued a reminder that it’s illegal to report or make public statements on investigation reports that have not yet been tabled.
The statement follows revelations by both Nationwide News and the Jamaica Observer, which have been reporting on issues linked to investigations conducted by the anti-corruption agency.
Chevon Campbell tells us more.
Last week Thursday, Nationwide News disclosed that reports the Integrity Commission sent to Parliament were related to an investigation into the Prime Minister’s statutory declarations which have not been certified for three years.
By Monday, details emerged that the failure to certify the declarations were related to four bank accounts in the names of the Prime Minister’s parents and a former constituency office manager.
The following day, the Jamaica Observer newspaper dropped its own investigative piece, alleging that the Integrity Commission was probing eight politicians for corruption.
The eight include five from the PNP and three from the JLP.
Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, was swift in slamming the Observer report, saying the reference concerning PNP politicians was concocted.
Amid the brewing controversy, Chairman of the Integrity Commission, retired Justice Seymour Panton, addressed the reporting on the investigation report submitted to Parliament.
He acknowledged the extensive public chatter about the purported contents of the reports, and stated that the submitted reports have yet to be tabled in Parliament.
The Commission says Section 53 of enabling legislation strictly prohibits public discussion of un-tabled reports.
He stresses that no statements or disclosures regarding the start or conduct of an investigation can be made by the Commission or any other entity until the reports are officially presented to Parliament.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed concern over the leaked information and says he is anxious to have the documents tabled.
The Integrity Commission, while under fire, insists it remains dedicated to factual reporting and has no vested interests.
It also affirms its strict adherence to the law, and says it would never breach legal guidelines to satisfy any agenda.
In Tuesday’s statement, the commission pledged its commitment to transparency and the rule of law.
It urges the public to await the formal tabling of all reports, including the one at the centre of the controversy.
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