Government MPs express support for Holness, slam ‘politically motivated attacks’
Politics

Government MPs express support for Holness, slam ‘politically motivated attacks’

The caucus of Government Members of Parliament (MPs) has expressed support for Prime Minister Andrew Holness following the Integrity Commission report into his financial affairs which has triggered calls from the Opposition for his resignation.

In a release on Friday, Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Edmund Bartlett said, “It is clear that the Parliamentary Opposition has been misusing and misrepresenting reports of the Integrity Commission to malign the prime minister.

“It is important to note that the Integrity Commission has not identified any evidence of wrongdoing by the prime minister despite years of investigation, significant expenditure of funds and overseas technical assistance,” Bartlett said.

He said the Government caucus is also concerned “… about the Opposition’s apparent insider knowledge of the Integrity Commission’s activities which should be confidential.

“We want to make it abundantly clear that we will not tolerate any politically motivated attacks on the prime minister’s character or his leadership,” Bartlett continued, adding that “As representatives of the Jamaican people, we stand united with Prime Minister Holness and we will defend his name and reputation with the full force of the Constitution and the law.”

The expression of support for Holness by Government MPs follows a similar move by the Government Senate caucus on Thursday.

The Integrity Commission has recommended that both the Financial Investigation Division and Tax Administration Jamaica examine aspects of the financial affairs of Holness.

The matters that have been referred to the FID and TAJ involves over $150 million worth of transactions, with various companies, including Barita Investments and includes a US$94,000 bond. One of his sons is affiliated with one of the companies that have been mentioned.

The Opposition People’s National Party has called for Holness’ immediate resignation, claiming that the prime minister has lost the trust and confidence of Jamaicans following the tabling of the report.

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