Panton rejects claims that Integrity Commission is partisan

KINGSTON, Jamaica— Chairman of the Integrity Commission (IC), Retired Justice Seymour Panton has pushed back hard against statements made by some politicians and members of the public who accuse the IC of being partisan.

Panton, along with the commissioners of the IC, except the Auditor General, Pamela Monroe Ellis who was off the island on work-related business, appeared before the Parliament’s Integrity Commission Oversight Committee (ICOC) on Tuesday.

In his opening remarks before the Edmund Bartlett-chaired committee, a strident Panton said the commissioners have noted, over several years, that “remarks have been made that the commission is partisan and that there’s malice in its operations”.

“I’d just like to point out that the persons who make those statements know that it is not true, they know that we know it is not true and they know that Jamaicans know that it is not true,” Panton added.

Pointing out that up to 70 per cent of Jamaicans on the voters’ list do not vote, Panton said it is “startling that it could be suggested that the five commissioners happen to be partisan. So we reject that”.

Against the background of increasing criticism from Government Members of Parliament, including some who have suggested that the IC be mandated to certify the statutory declarations of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Panton reminded committee members of the past positions taken by Holness.

“In terms of our performance over the years, we have on record, from no one higher than the prime minister, that in 2020, he commended the commission in our Anti-corruption Day celebration. He said that under the leadership of Chairman, the honourable Mr Justice Seymour Panton, the commission continues to distinguish itself, operating without fair or favour in pursuit of a just and corruption-free society,” Panton said.

The chairman continued, stating “In 2022, he said that the commission has done an outstanding job in increasing awareness and understanding of the anti-corruption framework. As recently as December last year, he said ‘I’m therefore pleased to know its work to expand public sensitisation programmes and improve investigative performance and technical proficiency, all of which represent a comprehensive approach to addressing corruption. I also commend the commission’s efforts to strengthen awareness and compliance as well as its dedication to improving responsiveness’”.

Having reminded committee members what the prime minister has had to say about the commission, Panton said “I hope that puts to rest, questions of partisanship and malice”.