Chairman of the Integrity Commission, IC Justice Carol Lawrence Beswick says she is open to addressing recent concerns raised by government parliamentarians as far as the IC Act allows.

Her statement is in response to a letter sent to her by the Leaders of Government Business in both Houses of Parliament, Ed Bartlett and Senator Kamina Johnson Smith on Friday.

The government members indicated their concern with the appointment of Roneiph Lawrence, as Acting-Director of Corruption Prosecution at the Commission and the possibility that his appointment could be made permanent.

Their objection is due to Mr. Lawrence’s reported close friendship with People’s National Party, PNP General Secretary, Dr. Dayton Campbell.

The government members noted that on January 26 this year, Dr. Campbell posted a photograph of himself, Mr. Lawrence and 3 other men, to Instagram, with the caption “over 20 years of friendship”.

Mr. Bartlett and Senator Johnson Smith said they are not questioning Mr. Lawrence’s qualifications, but any decision he takes concerning members of the political fraternity will be open to question.

Yesterday, the Opposition in acknowledging concerns raised about Dr. Campbell and Mr. Lawrence’s friendship accused the Jamaica Labour Party JLP of a witch hunt.

PNP Chairman Dr. Angela Brown Burke accused the JLP of political victimization, and hypocrisy, noting that the father of a recently-appointed IC Commissioner was once a JLP politician. 

Today, the JLP slammed the PNP for those comments, calling them hypocrites.

Even as the war of words continued, the Integrity Commission in a release this afternoon, said it provided a response to the government’s concerns.

The IC Chairman’s letter was formally received and signed for at the Parliament at 1: 21 pm.

A copy which the commission sent to Irie FM News detailed that the chairman is amenable to addressing the concerns once the act allows.

Regarding Mr. Lawrence’s appointment, the chairman said in view of the fact that it agrees with Mr. Bartlett and Mrs. Johnson Smith’s statement that they do not question any individual’s constitutional right of association, any question about Mr. Lawrence’s decision making must be considered with that right in mind.

Chairman Lawrence Beswick said the commission’s decisions should be open to questions from the public, including political parties and that a complete answer should be provided as far as the act allows.

She however pointed out that lawmakers through Section 56 of the IC Act restricted what can lawfully be revealed.

The commission said it is mindful of the fact that its decisions are open to scrutiny and thus operates under a policy that any conflict of interest is declared and where these exist the employee recuses him/herself and thereafter has nothing to do with that particular matter.

The chairman also responded to a call for a probe into reports of misconduct at the commission.

These were raised in the letter sent by the government members on Friday.

Among the reports is that the contract of the former Corruption Prosecution Director was not renewed after she came under pressure from senior figures at the commission due to a lawful decision she made.

In response the chairman said her attention has not been brought to any complaint or comment brought by the former director. 

Noting other concerns of misconduct raised, the chairman pointed to the lack of sufficient information provided in the letter and highlighted section 6 3a of the IC Act which states that the commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority other than the court by way of judicial review.

Mrs. Lawrence Beswick noted however, that she remains open to communication in so far as the Commission Act allows.

She said actions of the Integrity Commission which cause the general public concern, will receive the IC’s urgent attention provided that it is given cogent and unequivocal information on which it can rely.

The chairman said she looks forward to the commission working with parliamentarians, in accordance with the laws of natural justice and, above all, in strict compliance with the Integrity Commission Act as promulgated by legislators.