HOUSE SEARCH

The police have launched a probe to reportedly identify those responsible for online posts alleging internal mismanagement at Gordon House, amid mounting discontent among staff at the seat of Jamaica’s Parliament.

Inspector Ann-Marie Watson, who is in charge of the Stadium Police in St Andrew, confirmed the probe on Thursday but was not able to immediately provide key details, including the identity of the complainant or the scope of the investigation.

“Yes, there is a report, and the investigation is being conducted,” she told The Sunday Gleaner.

Files of at least eight current and former employees were pulled for submission to the police in connection with the investigation, sources have told The Sunday Gleaner.

Some of those contacted by law enforcement said they were shocked to receive calls earlier this month from police officers inviting them to the station for questioning.

“This feels like some of us are being targeted. I couldn’t believe. There were no internal checks, and our names suddenly found their way to the police. I go in to work worried about what’s next,” said one official, declining to be named for fear of victimisation. “Every day is war. We have been crying out for assistance for weeks. The situation at Parliament is terrible and it is also embarrassing because of where it is happening. No one can claim ignorance of the toxic environment.”

The Sunday Gleaner submitted questions last Tuesday to the Clerk to the Houses of Parliament Colleen Lowe. A spokesperson on Thursday said the “wide-ranging questions have been received and are being reviewed by the relevant teams, including our legal department”.

“I immediately felt unsafe when they called,” said another member of the group contacted by the police. The official said they were advised that the probe involves allegations of public mischief.

“Now, we’re feeling power being brought against us. I’ve never gotten a call from the police before telling me to come to the police station. I didn’t go. I told them I wasn’t involved in the video being circulated. They need to get a warrant,” the worker said.

Another person called said they were offended and dismissed questions of their involvement in the circulation of the videos.

“When they finally got me, she (police officer) said she is calling from the Stadium Police Station regarding a video about the clerk. She asked me if I had any information about the video. I told her I don’t have any information. She said I need to come in to the station, and I said I won’t be coming. I told her to speak with my lawyer, and I have not received any calls again,” one official said.

A significant escalation

The police development marks a significant escalation in long-simmering tensions between dozens of parliamentary staff and members of the administrative leadership of Gordon House.

Lowe, the administrative head who assumed the top post in April 2024 following the retirement of Valrie Curtis, is also a focus of the discontent. She joined the parliamentary staff in May 2022 as deputy clerk.

It has been a rocky past two years at the Parliament, marked by the controversial treatment of Curtis leading up to her departure.

Over the past three months, employees have raised a series of concerns about procurement practices, covering the renovation of a lounge for lawmakers, the installation of air conditioning units, and catering services. Some of the claims are made in at least three videos seen by The Sunday Gleaner.

Senior officials at Parliament have also retained lawyers as relationships soured.

The controversy has unfolded in parallel with a separate enquiry by the Auditor General’s Department, which announced in May that it was undertaking a special audit of the Houses of Parliament. That decision followed a preliminary assessment in January 2025 aimed at understanding the institution’s operations and determining whether a full audit was necessary.

The audit is expected to examine whether Parliament has complied with the Financial Administration and Audit Act and other laws governing the handling of public funds and government property.

Concerns have also been reported to the Integrity Commission, which has reportedly taken an interest in property acquisition by an official. By law, the commission cannot comment on any investigation.

editorial@gleanerjm.com