PNP blasts gov’t over Integrity Commission objection

The People's National Party (PNP) has strongly condemned what it describes as political witch-hunts targeting qualified Jamaicans who offer themselves for public service.

The statement follows the Government's objection to the appointment of Roneiph Lawrence as acting director of corruption prosecution at the Integrity Commission. In a letter to the chair of the Commission, retired Justice Carol Lawrence-Beswick, the Government--through Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Edmund Bartlett and Government Senate Leader Kamina Johnson Smith--raised concerns about Lawrence's long-standing friendship with PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell.

However, the PNP, in a media release on Sunday, described the JLP's objection, based solely on a past social association, as "reckless, hypocritical and without merit."

"The notion that a friendship at university, or merely attending a wedding, should be grounds to question someone's suitability for a national appointment is both illogical and a vulgar display of political intimidation by a government more interested in persecution than principle," the PNP said.

Campbell and Lawrence have been friends for more than 20 years, having met at The University of the West Indies.

The PNP also pointed out that a recently appointed commissioner of the Integrity Commission is the son of a former JLP politician.

"The Leader of the Opposition did not stoop to opposing the proposed appointment on that basis," the party stated, referring to Brian Wynter's appointment.

Wynter's father, Hector Wynter, was a former editor-in-chief of The Gleaner and later served as chairman of the JLP.