PNP calls for Holness to resign as prime minister

The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) is calling for Prime Minister Andrew Holness to step down immediately, following publication of the Integrity Commission's report on its investigation into the income and assets declarations submitted by Holness for 2019-2022.

The Integrity Commission's Director of Corruption Prosecutions, Keisha Prince-Kameka, has ruled out criminal charges against Prime Minister Andrew Holness for allegedly making false income declarations.

However, the IC's Director of Investigation Kevon Stephenson has referred certain concerns arising from the investigation to Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the Financial Investigations Division (FID) for further probe.

In a media release on Wednesday, the PNP pointed to the referrals for further investigation and said "the Prime Minister must act in the best interest of the nation and leave office to preserve the dignity of Jamaica's democracy."

"The Office of the Prime Minister must be a beacon of integrity, not a place to shield oneself from scrutiny. Mr Holness's ongoing rearguard action to remain in power under a cloud of suspicion is unacceptable. We call on him to do the right thing and step down immediately. His continued presence in office is a disservice to the Jamaican people and our democratic system," the PNP stated.

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The Opposition also suggested Holness had misled the country when he said he was not aware of anyone on the Government side of the parliament being investigated for illicit enrichment.

According to the Commission, Holness was notified in May 2023 about the investigation into his 2021 income and asset declaration, which raised concerns about potential discrepancies between his assets and lawful earnings.

The Opposition argues that there now exists a "crisis of confidence in the Prime Minister's leadership".

"Jamaica now finds itself in an unprecedented situation where its head of government is embroiled in a prolonged and unresolved integrity investigation. The state apparatus is investigating its own Prime Minister.

"Despite his reassurances in Parliament, Mr Holness is clearly distracted by the fight to clear his name. This battle, being waged from the highest office in the land, is undermining our democratic system and eroding public confidence in the government," the PNP said.