The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has criticised the Integrity Commission for requesting that a probe be conducted by the Financial Investigations Division (FID), on a bank transaction relating to Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness. 

At the same time, the party welcomed the ruling by the commission’s Director of Corruption Prosecution, that no charge be laid against the Prime Minister, in relation to claims of making a false statement in his statutory declaration.

The commission’s ruling, along with the investigation report were tabled in the Lower House yesterday.

In a statement, JLP General Secretary Dr. Horace Chang noted that the ruling means there is no legal basis to proceed against the Prime Minister in relation to a combined total of approximately $400,000 in 4 bank accounts belonging to his parents and former Constituency Office Manager.

Dr. Chang said the party took note of the finding by the Corruption Prosecution Director, that the evidence which support an explanation provided by the Prime Minister, is far greater than evidence to the contrary.

He said the party notes that after an extensive probe, which involved the hiring of an international forensic investigator, the commission conceded that it was unable to conclude that the Prime Minister illicitly enriched himself.

Dr. Chang said the party also denounces attempts by the Integrity Commission to act outside of its legal remit by seeking to, without credible basis, refer for investigation by the FID, a transaction where a financial institution admitted to making an error.

He said the party urges the Parliament to conclude its review of the Integrity Commission Act to ensure the commission conducts its business with greater fairness, equity and regard for the rule of law.

Meantime, Senate President, Tom Tavares-Finson has sought to explain that the Integrity Commission does not have the power in law to refer any individual for an investigation by an authority such as the FID.

This after the commission determined that no charge should be laid against Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness in relation to reports of statutory declaration breaches, but asked the FID to look into possible breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act.

In a statement this morning, the Senate President said the Integrity Commission does not have the authority to make such a referral.