Letter of the Day | Remove Integrity Commission gag clause
Published:Tuesday | August 15, 2023 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
It has been publicly reported that six members of parliament and 28 public officials are under investigations for illicit enrichment, the Integrity Commission (IC) wrote in its 2022-23 annual report tabled in Parliament last month. The Greg Christie-led Integrity Commission also revealed that seven legislators and 32 public officials are under investigation for providing false information to the commission, which amounts to breaches of the Integrity Commission and Corruption Prevention Acts. Thus far, none of the individuals under investigation have been arrested or charged. This is a very serious national issue which all citizens should be extremely concerned about.
The Gleaner article of August 12, ‘Name them’ said “Civil groups call on Parliamentarians under IC probe to be unveiled”. It is germane to note here that Clause 53 (3) of the Integrity Commission Act demands that the commission keeps confidential any investigation it is conducting until a report is tabled in Parliament. Let me declare here that I am a politician, and have been involved in politics for over 45 years, who follows all issues, affairs and developments in politics and government. However, I am of the opinion that the gag clause that is contained in the Integrity Commission Act preventing public disclosure of individuals under investigation should be removed as a matter of priority and within the framework of accountability, transparency and good governance. I wholeheartedly support the executive director of the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal, Jeanette Calder, that it is imperative for this absurd gag clause be removed from the act.
It was so scandalous and reprehensible that some government ministers, while speaking in the Parliament sometime ago, unfairly berated and lashed the Integrity Commission and sought to bring the commission into disrepute. They need to apologise to the commission and Greg Christie. The IC is one of the most professionally operated and managed institutions in Jamaica, and we all need to support this commission that is of the highest levels of integrity, performance and probity. PM Andrew Holness and the Cabinet must publicly declare their full official support for the IC. I commend Greg Christie and the commissioners for doing a high-value job thus far. Keep up the excellent work.
FRANK MANBORDE
Former Parish Councillor