The Integrity Commission (IC) has received court documents from the legal team representing Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
According to reports from Nationwide News, Holness’ legal representatives formally served these documents to the Commission’s attorney, King’s Counsel Michael Hylton.
These documents pertain to the Prime Minister’s significant choice to seek judicial review of a critical report compiled by the Commission’s Director of Investigation, Kevon Stephenson.
The report thoroughly examines Holness’ financial matters.
Kevon Stephenson is acknowledged as the first respondent in this case.
Moreover, another Director, Craig Beresford, along with the Integrity Commission, has also been named as respondent.
For the first time, the Commission’s report has disclosed that the anti-corruption body is investigating the Prime Minister for potential illicit enrichment.
This revelation has stirred considerable political controversy.
The Prime Minister has accused the Commission of abusing the legal process, infringing upon his constitutional rights. Also, the PM accused the IC of committing various irregularities during the investigation.
Furthermore, Holness is seeking to invalidate key provisions of the Corruption Prevention Act and the Integrity Commission Act.
When contacted on Tuesday afternoon, the Commission’s attorney, Michael Hylton, confirmed that Holness’ legal team had indeed served him the documents.
However, he refrained from commenting on the legal strategy the Integrity Commission plans to adopt in response.
King’s Counsel Hylton also withheld his opinion about the merits of the Prime Minister’s legal assertions.
He indicated that the IC intends to give a comprehensive response within the time frame prescribed by the court’s regulations.
IC Submits Further Investigative Report to Parliament.
The Integrity Commission has presented yet another investigative report, along with the corresponding ruling from its Director of Corruption Prosecution, for consideration in the House of Representatives.
The Commission has confirmed that these documents were delivered to Parliament shortly after three o’clock this afternoon.
Details about the focus of this latest report remain undisclosed.
The Integrity Commission has also provided copies of the documents to House Speaker Juliet Holness, President of the Senate Tom Tavares Finson, and the Clerk to the Houses, Colleen Lowe.
The Commission anticipates that the submitted documents will be tabled in Parliament at the earliest opportunity, according to the provisions of the Integrity Commission Act.