The Integrity Commission (IC) is seemingly annoyed by questions it deems“irritatingly unfair” and which, it says, those asking know it cannot answer.

Under the Integrity Commission Act, commissioners are prevented from disclosing information related to individuals’ statutory declarations or from commenting on the state of any corruption investigation. This is the so-called gag order that public commentators and civil society have long argued should be repealed.

In his remarks in the IC’s 2023/24 annual report, which was made public on Tuesday, chairman of the IC, retired Justice Seymour Panton, made his annoyance clear.

“The law restricts the Commission from making any report or public statement in relation to the initiation or conduct of an investigation by the Director of Investigation prior to the tabling of a report in Parliament,” he said.

“In so far as statutory declarations, government contracts, and prescribed licences are concerned, the law states that every person having an official duty under the Act shall regard such matters as secret and confidential,” he added.

Panton also stated that “penalties of fines and imprisonment are prescribed for any breach.”. He remarked that “given the state of the legislation, it is irritatingly unfair and unreasonable for persons (some of whom know better) to be requesting that the Commission speak on matters relating to statutory declarations or investigations.”

In a further rebuke, Panton said, “In my view, Jamaicans are quite low on the ladder of compliance as regards the various laws passed by Parliament. The Commission ought not to be, and indeed will not be, in such company.”

He said the Commission awaits the amendments to the legislation that have been suggested and reiterated that “there is nothing to prevent declarants or persons under investigation from speaking on the situation as it relates to them.”