Carol Lawrence-Beswick appointed Integrity Commission chairman
Published:Wednesday | February 26, 2025 | 2:27 PM
Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Carol Lawrence-Beswick is the new chairman of the Integrity Commission.
Lawrence-Beswick was appointed today by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, following consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
She replaces retired Justice Seymour Panton, whose tenure ended yesterday, who confirmed that he would not seek an extension.
Commissioner Eric Crawford also has no intention of continuing after his tenure ends later this month, and the Governor General has announced that the seat will be filled by former Bank of Jamaica Governor Brian Wynter.
Current commissioners Pamela Munroe Ellis, who is the Auditor General, retired Justice Lloyd Hibbert, and H. Wayne Powell, will continue their roles on the Integrity Commission.
Lawrence-Beswick formerly served two decades as puisne judge of the Supreme Court and retired in December 2022.
She holds an LLB from the University of the West Indies and years of legal experience in the roles of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and acting Judge of Appeal.
Last year, she was appointed chairperson of the Road Traffic Appeal Tribunal.
Wynter, in the meantime, is a recognised financial expert who served as BOJ governor from 2009 to 2019, playing a critical role in implementing policies aimed at stabilising the financial sector, a release from the Governor General's office noted.
Earlier this week, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck expressed confidence in both Lawrence-Beswick and Wynter.
The commission is the highest-decision making anti-corruption body.
The selection of the commission is vested in the Governor-General, who appoints the chairman after consultation with the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.
The commission has faced staunch challenges in recent times, particularly regarding its relationship with government parliamentarians.
In a February 10 farewell message to staff, Panton detailed the hostile environment he faced, noting that some parliamentarians were unhappy with the provisions of the Integrity Commission Act, despite its unanimous passage in Parliament.
He also highlighted personal attacks and threats, which he said necessitated police involvement.
The tension has been fuelled by the commission's decision not to certify the prime minister's 2021 income declarations.
The prime minister has challenged an Integrity Commission report on the matter and has also sought to have the 2017 Integrity Commission Act struck down as allegedly unfair.
Other leadership changes could be made later this year as the five-year tenures of Executive Director Greg Christie; Director of Corruption Prosecution Keisha Prince-Kameka; Kevon Stephenson, the director of investigation, and Craig Beresford, director of information and complaints, are all due to end between March and July.
All four are eligible for reappointment.
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