The youth arms of the country’s two major political parties have joined the deepening political row over the Integrity Commission’s report into Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ financial affairs.
The Opposition’s PNP-YO has echoed its parent party’s call for the Prime Minister to tender his resignation.
But the governing JLP’s Young Jamaica says Holness must stand firm against unwarranted political attacks.
Shaloy Smikle has more in this report.
The youth arms are lining up in the escalating war of words over the suitability of Andrew Holness to continue in office as Jamaica’s ninth Prime Minister.
Holness is at the centre of a political firestorm after the Integrity Commission’s Director of Investigation, Kevon Stephenson, raised several concerns about his financial affairs.
Those concerns have since been referred to the Financial Investigation Division, FID.
While Mr. Stephenson’s report has not conclusively implicated the Prime Minister in any wrongdoing, and a ruling from the Commission’s Director of Corruption Prosecution, Keisha Prince Kameka, found no basis for a criminal charge, the Opposition says Holness must go.
In a statement on Thursday, the PNPYO agreed.
It says the ongoing investigations into Holness’ affairs have gravely undermined public trust in his leadership.
The young comrades are also directly accusing the Prime Minister of misleading the country about his knowledge of the Commission’s illicit enrichment probe.
According to the YO, the allegations in the Integrity Commission’s report are damning. It says Mr. Holness must step aside to allow the FID to conduct its work without the perception of interference or bias.
The YO says the country deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and beyond reproach. It says Holness’ continued presence in office during such a critical investigation is unacceptable and further erodes the public’s trust in our government.
But Young Jamaica is having none of it.
The young Labourites have blasted the Opposition for what they say are attacks from the PNP and what they describe as its allies in so-called civil society groups.
Young Jamaica says the Prime Minister must be commended for his transparency throughout the investigative process.
According to Young Jamaica, Holness has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of good governance.
It says despite the PNP’s unfounded claims, the Integrity Commission has found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing on the part of the Prime Minister.
The JLP’s youth arm is calling on the Commission to move to certify the Prime Minister’s statutory declarations and end what it describes as a prolonged matter.
Young Jamaica says the referral by the Director of Investigation for the FID to probe further has brought the Commission into dispute and stirred political tensions.
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