Bunting refuses to sign code of conduct over Integrity Commission FLA report
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Shadow Minister of National Security, Senator Peter Bunting says he will not sign the leadership code of conduct issued by the Integrity Commission because of “flawed and misleading information,” which the commission included in a report regarding the granting of firearm permits on appeals.
In a letter addressed to the leader of the Opposition Mark Golding on Wednesday, Bunting stated that the report issued by the Integrity Commission has impacted his reputation.
He went on to declare that until the Integrity Commission rectifies the report, he would not sign the leadership code of conduct.
“The report listed several serious irregularities at the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA), which occurred after the former Minister of National Security’s term of office. However, the report mentioned two appeals that happened during his term, which were reviewed and recommended by the Firearm Review Board, a distinguished panel of a former judge of the Court of Appeal, a former judge of the Supreme Court, and a leading Queen’s Counsel,” the statement said.
Bunting added that the Integrity Commission’s report was critical of his decision to grant the two appeals while omitting the critical fact that he was acting on the recommendations of the Firearm Review Board and labelled the omission as “deliberate and inexcusable”.
He also highlighted that the chairman of the Integrity Commission was serving as the chairman of the Firearm Review Board at the time the report was issued and for much of the period covered by the report.
The senator said that he has limited his interaction with the Integrity Commission until his concerns are addressed.
In November last year, the Integrity Commission issued a code of conduct which outlined seven principles and urged Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his Cabinet, and Opposition leader Mark Golding and his Shadow Cabinet to sign to show their commitment.
The seven principles commit each leader to selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
