(WiredJa)- The People’s National Party (PNP) says it is alarmed at the disgraceful concoction of misinformation and misdirection being employed by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in the face of damning revelations by the Integrity Commission that a total of eight (8) parliamentarians are now under investigation for illicit enrichment and unexplained wealth.
A statement from the PNP’s Spokesperson for Information and Public Communication, Nekeisha Burchell, said “In their usual diversionary style, JLP Deputy General Secretary, Senator Charles Sinclair, attempted to mislead by suggesting that the Integrity Commission does not inform individuals under investigation.”
The PNP said the JLP is fully aware that, to the contrary, the Integrity Commission does write to individuals who are under investigation for illicit enrichment and advises them of the investigation.
This protocol ensures that those under scrutiny are aware of their status and can respond appropriately. In a public statement in Parliament, the Commission’s Director of Investigation, Kevon Stephenson, said, “All declarants who are being investigated for illicit enrichment must be so advised. Declarants under such an investigation, must, by law, be given an opportunity to explain how they came by their assets.”
This statement was also shared by IC Executive Director Greg Christie via an email to Parliament in August 2023. Therefore, Senator Sinclair’s assertion that the PNP cannot speak with certainty on this matter is incorrect, and by extension, the JLP should also be able to say if the eight (8) MPs under investigation sit among them.
After all, on November 19, 2023, the Jamaica Gleaner reported that the “IC called a meeting with a JLP MP regarding possible illicit enrichment”.
The PNP stands by the previous statement by PNP President Mark Golding, that all 22 PNP parliamentarians (MPs and Senators) have confirmed that they are not aware of being investigated by the Integrity Commission for illicit enrichment.
We challenge Mr. Sinclair and the JLP to state unequivocally whether any of their members are under investigation for illicit enrichment.
We remind the JLP that the historically unprecedented case of eight parliamentarians being under investigation by the country’s integrity watchdog is a serious matter. This has the potential to derail any government and cause irrevocable damage to a country’s reputation.
The PNP urges the JLP to address these critical issues with the seriousness they deserve, rather than attempting to deflect attention through baseless accusations.
We again call on all parliamentarians to uphold the highest ethical standards and to support the Integrity Commission in its efforts to address any discrepancies in asset declarations.