NOBODY’S PUPPETS

Warning that certain comments from parliamentarians could present a security risk for members of the Integrity Commission (IC), chairman of the anti-corruption body, Justice (Ret’d) Seymour Panton, said there was no evidence that the state entity carried out its duties with malice.

In a strong rebuke to lawmakers who accused the commission of partisanship, Panton told members of the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee (ICOC) on Tuesday that neither he nor his colleagues at the IC carried out their duties with animosity toward anyone.

Pointing out that 70 per cent of persons on the voters’ list did not vote, Panton said, “It is startling that it could be suggested that the five commissioners happen to be partisan.”

The IC head said it was not fair for employees to be placed in a position where they can be “set upon”.

“I hope that, the persons who were making those statements, that they would desist, because such statements fuel a sort of mood among sycophants, and, in the kind of society in which we live, we need to understand that persons should be very careful in what they say.”

He made it clear that the investigation reports sent to Parliament by the commission contained factual information and recommendations by the director of investigation.

“We should not have a situation where we are being pilloried for doing what the law allows,” Panton said.

He accused a lawmaker of circulating photographs of IC officials, claiming they are trying to bring down the Government.

“In this climate, for a member of parliament to be doing that, it is reprehensible and I don’t hear any parliamentarian condemning it,” he told the committee.

He reminded lawmakers that Prime Minister Andrew Holness has applauded the commission in the past for carrying out its duties without fear or favour.

PM’S REMARKS

Quoting Holness in 2020, Panton said the prime minister remarked: “Under the leadership of the chairman, the Honourable Justice Seymour Panton, the commission continues to distinguish itself operating without fear or favour, in pursuit of a just and corruption-free society.”

He said, in 2022 and in December last year, the prime minister also hailed the commission for the critical work in the fight against corruption.

“I hope that puts to rest the question of partisanship and malice,” Panton added.

Regarding statements made in the ICOC about giving orders, Panton said the commission takes directives from no one other than the court.

At the last meeting of the ICOC, committee member Delroy Chuck said the IC should be ordered to certify the statutory declarations of the prime minister.

The IC referred a report on the prime minister’s income and assets to the Financial Investigations Division.

Panton signalled that he would reach out to government senator Dr Saphire Longmore, a consultant psychiatrist, to “have a word with her, because it may well be that she needs to have a word with some members of the House”.

All the commissioners of the IC were invited to appear before the ICOC to discuss, among other things, the last annual report submitted by the agency. It was the first time the IC officials appeared in Gordon House in their capacity as commissioners.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com