(Jamaica Gleaner) Prime Minister Andrew Holness, while rejecting some of the startling findings of the investigation by the Integrity Commission into his statutory declarations, said on Wednesday that the report has cleared him of involvement in any illicit enrichment.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon, Holness defended his financial affairs while adding that he would be taking further legal advice on the report and determining the way forward.
“After this most thorough interrogation of my personal affairs, which is not in any way connected to public funds, or a benefit resulting from my office, they were unable to come to a conclusion regarding illicit enrichment,” he said while highlighting that the commission has looked into more than 3,600 transactions involving 28 bank accounts.
The investigation looked into Holness’ personal financial affairs from 2018 to 2023, including associated private third-party businesses and transactions.
The nearly two-year-long investigation into the income and assets declarations submitted by Holness for 2019-2022, tabled yesterday afternoon in the House of Representatives, looked into allegations that Holness owned assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings.
It also looked into allegations Holness made false statements, by way of omissions.
Among other things, the Integrity Commission flagged the movement of millions of dollars among companies connected to Holness, which it said has not been fully explained.
One instance involves $72 million transferred from Positive Media Limited to Imperium Limited.
The commission also recommended the referral of the report on Holness’ income and assets to the Financial Investigations Division.
It said “there can be no finality” in the certification of assets for 2019-2022 without further probe.
Responding to the report, Holness told Parlia-ment that he would be challenging several findings in the commission’s investigation report citing “errors” made by the entity.
He noted that he would be challenging the finding that in one of the five years examined, 2022, there was unexplained growth in his net worth of $ 1.9 million or less than one per cent of his total net assets.
‘ERROR IN FIGURES’
“I reject this finding, based on materiality and significance. While I have not had a chance to fully review their specific calculations, just on a cursory review, I have seen an error in figures they have used in their calculations,” he said.
“I reject the finding that I acquired an asset for which the source of funds is not adequately explained,” Holness added.
According to him, an incorrect bank statement sparked the investigation.
However, he said, “Based on what is said in the summary, queries were triggered because I had omitted bank accounts from my declarations and one of these accounts was incorrectly reported as a US dollar balance by the financial institution.”
However, he said those matters were settled and the accounts were cleared as the accounts in question were dormant and that previous balances in them were $3,000 and 200 euros.
Holness added that, among some of the accounts under scrutiny were accounts opened by his parents from as far back as 1975, to which his name was later added, and which he never claimed as assets.
At the same time, he said he was pleased that the director of corruption prosecution ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support claims that he intentionally omitted bank accounts from his declaration and that there is greater evidence to support his explanation as opposed to evidence to the contrary.
“Let it be known that I have complied with any obligation placed on me within the law. The company with which I am directly associated is compliant and up to date with its tax filings,” the prime minister said.
Noting that he has been in politics for more that 30 years, Holness emphasised that he has never sought to use his “humble beginnings” for political sympathy.
“I don’t do that, because I believe in working for what I have. And I have worked hard, wisely and honestly to achieve whatever I have.
“I have never depended on the public purse,” Holness said, while adding that he had bypassed a salary increase due to the prime minister in solidarity with all the people whose income levels are challenging.
Furthermore, he said besides having the privilege of leading the country, he has always discharged his duties, with respect and dignity.
“Even for those who try to bring me down and do personal harm to my reputation. The weaponisation of accusation of corruption is nothing new in politics, however, even the most skeptical onlooker must conclude that the handling of this matter, the time it has taken, and the public resources used to pursue it, raise cause for concern on many levels.”
However, the prime minister said while he would not pursue the view that this was politicised, he supported the commonly held view that the law governing the IC is in urgent need of revision.
“The current context of its operation does weaken its credibility, and we must do everything to ensure that the appropriate laws are in place to prevent the politicisation of the Commission.
“We must also ensure that the Commission itself is efficient and pays due regard to use of public funds and the time and resources required of public officials to comply. To this end the law, must ensure that the work of the Commission focuses on relevant, significant and material issues,” he said.