PNP President Mark Golding speaks at a party meeting in St James on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
February 13, 2025
Golding appeals to GG to keep Integrity Commission independent
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Leader of the Opposition and President of the People’s National Party (PNP), Mark Golding has urged the governor general to not be swayed into making any appointments to the Independent Commission.
Golding, who was speaking at a meeting in Montego Bay on Wednesday night, insisted that the governor general should ensure that the appointments he makes are done through the remit of his authority.
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“I am hoping and I am reaching out to the governor general and saying GG this is your time to shine,” he told PNP supporters who had gathered at the campaign officer of caretaker candidate for the St James Central constituency, Senator Janice Allen.
“Don’t make them pressure you to do the wrong thing. Do the right thing for the people of Jamaica, defend the Integrity Commission and make sure the people who are commissioners are independent, reputable people, not political partisans who are going to use their influence there or could do and give the perception that the thing is biased … we don’t want that because we need a proper Integrity Commission because Jamaica is too corrupt,” he added.
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Golding’s comments were based on what he said were reports of attempts to not renew the contract of outspoken chairman, retired justice Seymour Panton.
“His contract is coming up, it look like them want to shove him out and what I’m hearing is now them want to bring some top Labourite, full Labourite onto the Integrity Commission which is investigating so much Labourite, nothing can’t go so,” he declared.
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He insisted that the legislation in place, which he said was piloted by him during his time as minister of justice, made it clear where the power lies in those appointments.
“We designed it so that it’s not the prime minister or leader of the Opposition who appoint the commissioners apart from the auditor general who is there by virtue of being the auditor general,” he said.
“The other commissioners are appointed by the governor general and it is his decision. He has to consult with the prime minister and he has to consult with the leader of the Opposition but he doesn’t have to hear what we say, at least he doesn’t have to follow what we say and it was deliberate because we needed to make sure that the prime minister of the day can’t pack up the Integrity Commission with people who are yes men for him,” he declared.
His comments come at a time when the prime minister and the Integrity Commission have been having a kerfuffle as it relates to several reports that have been tabled as it relates to his financial affairs.
