The heat remains on former Cabinet member Everald Warmington despite his decision to resign as Jamaica’s minister without portfolio in charge of works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, following his controversial comments in the wake of the February 26, 2024 Local Government Elections.

Warmington resigned from the Cabinet following a viral video in which he vowed to limit State resources to People’s National Party (PNP) councillor-elect in the Old Harbour South Division in his St Catherine South Western constituency, Dr Kurt Waul, who had defeated the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Lloyd Grant.

But Warmington’s resignation has not been enough to satisfy many who condemned his despicable statement, with the Integrity Commission (IC) and the human rights group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) on Tuesday calling for more action against the often controversial veteran politician.

The call was led by the IC, which, in a media release, called for Warmington’s removal from the Integrity Commission Parliament Oversight Committee and the Joint Select Committee for the Review of the Integrity Commission Act.

“This recommendation is made, among other things, in light of the preamble of the [Integrity Commission] Act which states that the Act is “to promote and enhance standards of ethical conduct for parliamentarians, public officials, and other persons”, the IC said.

“The commission notes that the former minister’s actions fall well short of standards and conduct that are becoming of a minister and parliamentarian,” added the IC.

The commission said it will also write to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Juliet Holness suggesting that Parliament’s Ethics Committee addresses the matter.

“This step is seen as essential to ensure that the issue is appropriately handled within the parliamentary framework,” said the IC as it pointed out that during its regular monthly meeting on Monday it also had discussions on additional steps that may be taken to address the situation.

“These deliberations were aimed at upholding the commission’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and good governance within the Government,” said the IC, which has often been the target of Warmington’s sharp tongue.

Last July, Warmington walked out of a meeting of the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee after he was prevented by the chairman, Edmund Bartlett, from raising questions about Director of Corruption Prevention Ryan Evans, who he claimed was an advisor to former PNP President Dr Peter Phillips.

Before that Warmington had proposed that the IC be stripped of its power to prosecute and that the power be returned to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The outspoken MP also called for the auditor general to be removed from the list of commissioners of the IC and for the provision in the law that allows the commission to request information from lawmakers that predates its establishment in 2018 to be scrapped.

Warmington also led the charge, during a sitting of the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee last November, for the current five-year term for the IC’s executive director to be left in place and the possible reappointment period be capped at no more than three years despite a proposal for a single seven-year term.

In the meantime, JFJ also issued a release on Tuesday in which it called for Warmington to be cut from the parliamentary committees that oversees anti-corruption and integrity matters
— the Oversight Committee of the Integrity Commission
— and the joint select committees reviewing the Integrity Commission Act and the Protected Disclosure Act.

“This call stems from Mr Warmington’s statements that are deemed to breach the Political Code of Conduct and undermine the constitutional right to vote, making his presence on these committees contradictory to the principle of true accountability and integrity needed for public office,” said JFJ in the a release signed by its executive director Mickel Jackson.

“If one is to appreciate the significance of upholding integrity and accountability in all levels of governance, then one will appreciate that Mr Warmington’s continued presence on these committees is untenable.

“We would also hope Mr Warmington has reflected on the weight of his words and actions, and that a true test of self-accountability be done where he also offers his resignation as a Member of Parliament,” added JFJ.

The rights group also said it is urging the Electoral Commission of Jamaica to clarify whether investigations are ongoing regarding Warmington’s statement and to outline potential courses of action in light of its recent assumption of the ombudsman role.

“The organisation emphasises the importance of public accountability and transparency, even if these efforts are primarily conducted outside of the media spotlight,” said the JFJ.