Carib Sentinel | Montego Bay, Jamaica —
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Mark Golding has issued a fervent plea to Governor General Sir Patrick Allen to protect the independence of Jamaica’s Integrity Commission, urging the avoidance of politically charged appointments to the anti-corruption watchdog. Speaking at a People’s National Party (PNP) gathering in Montego Bay on Wednesday, Golding warned that partisan interference could undermine public trust in the body tasked with rooting out graft in government.
“This is your time to shine,” declared Golding, addressing a crowd at the campaign office of PNP Senator Janice Allen, the party’s candidate for St. James Central. “Do the right thing for the people of Jamaica. Defend the Integrity Commission and ensure that commissioners are independent, reputable individuals—not political loyalists who risk tainting its credibility.”
The call comes amid swirling reports that retired Justice Seymour Panton, the commission’s current chairman, may not be reappointed when his term expires. Golding alleged that Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) loyalists are maneuvering to install a party ally in Panton’s stead, a move he called “a direct threat to impartial oversight.” The Integrity Commission is currently investigating multiple JLP figures, including probes into Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ financial disclosures, which have sparked public clashes between the PM’s office and the commission.
“They want to bring a top Laborite onto a commission investigating Laborites. That cannot happen,” Golding asserted, accusing the Holness administration of attempting to “stack the deck” in its favor.
Golding, who helped draft the Integrity Commission Act during his tenure as Justice Minister, emphasized that the law grants the Governor General sole authority to appoint commissioners, albeit after consulting with the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader. “The Governor General is not bound by their advice,” he noted. “This was intentional—to prevent the commission from becoming a puppet of the ruling party.”
The Integrity Commission, established in 2018 to consolidate Jamaica’s anti-corruption agencies, has faced persistent scrutiny over its autonomy. Critics argue that its effectiveness hinges on leadership free from political allegiance, particularly as Jamaica ranks 69th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index.
Prime Minister Holness has yet to publicly address Golding’s claims, but tensions between his administration and the commission have simmered for months. Last year, the commission faced backlash after delays in reviewing Holness’ statutory declarations, which he attributed to administrative oversights.
Golding’s appeal underscores deepening political divisions as Jamaica approaches local government elections later this year. Analysts suggest the PNP is positioning itself as a defender of governance reforms, while the JLP faces mounting pressure to disprove allegations of cronyism.
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