Panton hits back at critics of the Integrity Commission

Chairman of the Integrity Commission (IC), Justice Seymour Panton has hit back at critics who have accused the commission of partisanship.

A strident Panton, along with three commissioners and the IC’s Executive Director Greg Christie appeared Tuesday before the Parliament’s Integrity Commission Oversight Committee (ICOC) where he launched a stout defence of the IC, a commission of Parliament.

In his opening remarks Panton highlighted that the commissioners have noted, over several years, that “remarks have been made that the commission is partisan and that there’s malice in its operations”.

‘I’d just like to point out that the persons who make those statements know that it is not true, they know that we know it is not true, and they know that Jamaicans know that it is not true,” the retired President of the Court of Appeal declared.

Pointing out that up to 70 per cent of Jamaicans on the voters’ list do not vote, Panton said it is “startling that it could be suggested that the five commissioners happen to be partisan. So we reject that”.

And, against the background of mounting criticism from Government Members of Parliament, Panton reminded committee members of the past positions taken by Holness as it relates to the work of the commission.

“In terms of our performance over the years, we have on record, from no one higher than the prime minister, that in 2020, he commended the Commission in our Anti-corruption Day celebration. He said that under the leadership of Chairman, the honourable Mr Justice Seymour Panton, the commission continues to distinguish itself, operating without fair or favour in pursuit of a just and corruption-free society”.

Panton added that “in 2022, he said that the commission has done an outstanding job in increasing awareness and understanding of the anti-corruption framework. As recently as December last year, he said ‘I’m therefore pleased to know its work to expand public sensitisation programmes and improve investigative performance and technical proficiency, all of which represent a comprehensive approach to addressing corruption. I also commend the commission’s efforts to strengthen awareness and compliance as well as its dedication to improving responsiveness’”.

After reminding committee members what the prime minister has had to say about the commission, Panton said “I hope that puts to rest, questions of partisanship and malice”.