Bring the evidence, IC chairman tells gov't lawmakers seeking enquiry

The Integrity Commission (IC) says Government parliamentary leaders who want an investigation into affairs at the agency need to provide “relevant" and "cogent" evidence to trigger an enquiry.

IC Chairman, Justice Carol Lawrence-Beswick's, comments are contained in a letter, responding to correspondence from Edmund Bartlett, the leader of government business in the House of Representatives and Kamina Johnson Smith, his counterpart in the Senate.

“In order for there to be fair, impartial and transparent interrogation, there not only needs to be the specific questions which you have in fact posed, but equally important, there must be specific cogent information from which the interrogation can be commenced,” she said.

In their letter dated April 11, Bartlett and Johnson Smith said government lawmakers had “serious concerns” about certain decisions at the commission and were requesting a “thorough and prompt interrogation”.

Bartlett and Johnson Smith raised concerns about the appointment of Roneiph Lawrence as acting director of corruption prosecution and his relationship with People’s National Party General Secretary, Dr Dayton Campbell; and the alleged pressure on the former corruption prosecution director, Keisha Prince-Kameka, which led her not to seek renewal of her contract.

They also highlighted allegations that a senior investigator resigned after a statement she allegedly made about alleged unethical practices at the commission was not included in an investigation report.

In her response, the IC chairman said she was “heartened” that the parliamentary leaders share her beliefs in certain principles that were outlined in their letter. Among the principles she cited were that they do not question Lawrence’s professional qualifications, his constitutional right of association and they do not seek to interfere in the commission’s operations.

Lawrence-Beswick said while they agree that the “interrogation” would have to be fair and transparent, “Justice would no doubt have to be done, not only in the eyes of the parliamentarians but also in the eyes of the persons against whom a complaint or allegation is being made”.

According to the retired Supreme Court judge, a primary component of that interrogation is “relevant, cogent evidence".

Bartlett and Johnson Smith pointed the IC to a social media post in January by Campbell who highlighted his 20-year friendship with Lawrence. The two officials asserted that any decision that Lawrence makes about politicians “will certainly be open to question”.

However, the chairman said questions about Lawrence’s decision-making or suitability for the post must involve a consideration of his right to association. She also pointed out that it was lawmakers who approved the IC Act with a provision blocking employees from discussing matters before the agency.

“The commission is mindful of the fact that its decisions are open to scrutiny and thus, operates under the policy that any conflicts of interest are declared and where they exist, the employee recuses him,/herself…” she said.

Bartlett and Johnson Smith also raised concerns about comments from the PNP general secretary in 2024, saying he spoke about a case that was being considered by the commission.

But Lawrence-Beswick said their “description… lacks sufficient details to allow me to determine of what you speak”.

On the issue of the former corruption prosecutor being allegedly pressured not to seek a contract renewal, the IC chairman said Bartlett and Johnson Smith’s reference to media reports was not sufficient. “Again, there is no reference to the particular decision that has caused your concern,” she said.

Lawrence-Beswick also said that the questions raised by the two lawmakers would require responses from Prince-Kameka, whose five-year tenure ended last month.

“My attention has not been brought to any complaint or even comment, made by her, either to the commission or to any other entity, concerning the questions you asked to be interrogated," the IC chairman said.

The third issue raised by Bartlett and Johnson Smith involved allegations that a senior investigator resigned from the commission after a statement she submitted to the entity was excluded from a report submitted to parliament because of the alleged intervention of an influential official at the commission.

However, the IC chairman again contended that those comments were not enough. “Unfortunately, this concern, as outlined in your communication, is bereft of sufficient details to adequately inform an enquiry,” she said, adding that the urgent intervention “can only be fairly done with cogent, specific information”.

The IC Chairman also said she need not remind Bartlett and Johnson Smith of Section 6 of the IC Act, which outlines that the agency shall not be directed or controlled by anyone except a court.

“Nonetheless, I hasten to add that I remain committed to open communication where the Integrity Commission is concerned, insofar as the Integrity Commission Act allows,” she said.

She added: “ I look forward to the commission working together with the members of the Houses of Parliament, in accordance with the laws of natural justice and, above all, in strict compliance with the Integrity Commission Act as promulgated by your goodselves.”

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