Holness rejects opposition claims of PM Influenced Pryce's Interim appointment

The Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness has rejected assertions by the Opposition that he played a role in the one-year interim appointment of Colonel Daniel Pryce as the executive director of the Integrity Commission.

In a release Monday, Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips said he was concerned about what he called the continuing and unexplained practice of interim appointments to critical offices.

Phillips also said Prime Minister Andrew Holness provided no good reason to the Governor General for Pryce’s interim appointment.

PM Holness said he played no part in the appointment of the Integrity Commission boss.

In a statement to Honourable house Holness said: "I rise today in this Honourable House to make it unequivocal and clear yet again that the Integrity Commission is an independent Commission of Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, let me specifically draw reference to Section 6(3) of the Act which states that:

In the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this Act, the Commission-

(a) shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority other than the Court by way of judicial review;

(b) shall act independently, impartially, fairly and in the public interest; and

(c) shall have the power to do all such things as it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions.

Indeed Mr. Speaker, Section 26 of the Integrity Commission Act states that “subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall regulate its own procedure”. The nature of the establishment of the Commission is that it will act independently.

Indeed, anyone who takes the time to read the Act, which is available online will note that Section 28(1) of the said Act clearly indicates that “the Executive Director is appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of the Commission”.

There is no role for the Prime Minister in the process. Contrary to assertions by the Parliamentary Opposition, I therefore would have played no part in the recent appointment of the Executive Director of the Integrity Commission. I was neither consulted nor advised of this recent appointment of an Executive Director at the Integrity Commission. I saw this in the media like everyone else.

It stands to reason that in accordance with its establishment as a Commission; it would have used its own judgement in conducting its affairs including in appointing an Interim Executive Director. It would not be appropriate for any second guessing or criticism of the exercise of their authority as an independent Commission.

The Honourable House would recall that this post of Executive Director was proposed as an amendment to the Act in order to strengthen the management structure of the new body. It was posited then that the creation of this post was a better arrangement than having Directors of the three divisions of the body report directly to the Commissioners, as was previously stipulated in the Bill.

It is unfortunate that the Opposition has again sought to make statements with no basis in fact. I therefore considered it my duty to come before this House today to address the erroneous information that has been disseminated.

The independence of the Integrity Commission is safeguarded in legislation and as a responsible Government and indeed Parliament, we should do nothing to affect it being perceived as independent. The Opposition by its actions is therefore doing exactly what it says should not be done – attempting to stymie the independence of the organisation and we agree that this must not be countenanced.

"Prime Minister Holness was neither consulted nor advised of the recent appointment of an acting executive director at the Integrity Commission," an office of Prime Minister spokesperson said in a release.

The OPM said reiterated that the Integrity Commission is an independent body as established by law.

"The administration led by Prime Minister Holness has never and will never attempt to interfere in the functioning of the Integrity Commission which is an independent commission of Parliament," the OPM spokesperson said.

The OPM further said statements should be properly researched to ensure that the public is not misled.

The Integrity Commission was established as a result of the merger of the Office Contractor General, the Corruption Prevention Commission and the Integrity Commission.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister had come under pressure for the interim appointment of Bryan Sykes as Chief Justice before his appointment was made permanent weeks later.

"Actions that bring results will determine the assumption of the role of chief justice," he said during the swearing-in ceremony for Sykes in February.