KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition Leader Mark Golding has repeated his party’s call for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, claiming that the prime minister has lost the trust and confidence of Jamaicans following the tabling of the Integrity Commission report into his financial affairs.

Speaking at a People’s National Party (PNP) press conference on Thursday morning, Golding, as he did in an interview immediately after the tabling of the report Tuesday, suggested that Holness misled the country when he told the media last year that he wasn’t aware of any Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) parliamentarians being under investigation for illicit enrichment.

“Mr Holness is one of the ‘illicit six’ now ‘illicit eight’ and he has known this for well over a year, yet Mr Holness misled the country by withholding the truth about this investigation in statements that he made both in and outside parliament over the period,” Golding said.

“This extended withholding of the truth, this fundamentally dishonest deception of the people of Jamaica obliterates any trust and confidence in the prime minister,” he added.

Golding also pointed to the prime minister’s statutory declarations since 2021 which remain uncertified by the Integrity Commission.

“This is a serious blot on the country’s image, both locally and internationally, it is untenable for our prime minister not to be in good standing with the country’s Integrity Commission,” Golding said.

“We cannot go on like this. The prime minister must step aside now or call fresh elections so that the people have the chance to elect a new government that can take our country out of this mess,” he said.

The Integrity Commission has recommended that both the Financial Investigation Division (FID) and Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) 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.

READ: Integrity Commission wants FID, TAJ to probe aspects of PM’s financial affairs

Holness has since “strongly rejected” the recommendations, stating “let it be known that I have complied with any obligation placed on me within the law. The company with which I am the directly associated is compliant and up to date with its tax filings”.

“And I have worked hard, wisely and honestly to achieve whatever I have. I have never depended on the public purse,” Holness added.

READ: Holness hits back at Integrity Commission findings, says he has broken no law