Opposition leader calls for immediate removal of Dr. Andrew Wheatley from Cabinet following damning report from Integrity Commission

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has called for the immediate removal of Dr. Andrew Wheatley from the Cabinet.

This is in the wake of a report from the Integrity Commission, which was tabled in Parliament yesterday.

The Commission has determined that Dr. Wheatley be charged with some offences, including illicit enrichment.

Dr. Wheatley has rejected the Commission’s report, describing it as false and misleading.

He is the Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for science, technology and special projects.

In a statement last evening, Golding said a Minister facing four criminal charges has no place in Cabinet.

Golding cited the Commission’s ruling that Dr. Wheatley be charged for four serious criminal offences, including illicit enrichment, knowingly making false statements in statutory declarations and failing to provide information to the Director of Information and complaints as required by law.

The report outlined Dr. Wheatley acquired assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings by approximately $164 million between 2013 and 2022 and was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation when formally required to do so.

Golding said a Minister who has been recommended for prosecution on four criminal charges, including the serious offence of illicit enrichment, cannot be allowed to remain in the Cabinet.

He said Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness must act immediately.

Golding said the integrity of public institutions and the trust of the Jamaican people demand nothing less.

The Opposition Leader also noted that this is not the first occasion on which serious questions have been raised about Dr. Wheatley’s conduct in public office.

He said despite previous ministerial conduct having resulted in the removal of Dr. Wheatley from Cabinet for an extended period, the Prime Minister chose to reappoint Dr. Wheatley after the 2025 General Election.

Golding said this raises questions as to whether Dr. Wheatley informed the Prime Minister of the ongoing Commission’s investigation or kept it from him.

He said either way, the decision to reappoint Dr. Wheatley to the Cabinet has now been shown to be a grave misjudgment.

Golding said Dr. Holness brought Dr. Wheatley back into Cabinet, despite the clear warning signs.

He said good governance is not a mere slogan; it is a required standard.

He said the Prime Minister has a duty to uphold that standard, immediately and without hesitation.

Mr. Golding called on the Prime Minister to remove Dr. Wheatley from Cabinet with immediate effect.

He also reaffirmed the People’s National Party’s commitment to integrity, transparency and genuine accountability in public life.