The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) is advising against the politicisation of the Integrity Commission (IC) investigation report on the yet-to-be certified statutory declarations of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Since the report was tabled in Parliament on September 17, there has been a back-and-forth between the Opposition People’s National Party and the governing Jamaica Labour Party with each side accusing the other of playing politics.

After more than a year, the IC has been unable to clear the prime minister of illicit enrichment because it has been unable to untangle the business dealings of several companies owned or partly-owned by him. It has referred its near 200-page report to Tax Administration Jamaica and the Financial Investigations Division with a view to bring closure to the matter.

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

However, the PNP has repeatedly called for the resignation of the prime minister, insisting that he misled the country about when he was made aware by the IC that he was being investigated for illicit enrichment. Holness has countered by moving to sue several members of the PNP, while the parliamentary caucus of the JLP has thrown its full support behind the prime minister.

Amid the cross talk, the JCC is urging caution, calling for patience and the allowance of due process in the matter.

“We strongly encourage the closure of the legal lacunae (space) that may have been identified as soon as possible,” the umbrella church group said in a statement Wednesday morning.

The statement, over the signature JCC President, Bishop the Rev’d Christine Gooden-Benguche, said politicisation of the matter must be avoided.

“To this end, it is important that the process recommended by the IC be allowed to run its course,” she said, adding that “in view of the inconclusive nature of the report, it is advisable that partisan political interpretations and applications of the report are avoided until clarity is achieved”.

According to Gooden-Benguche, the JCC “affirms the value of respectful, honest and robust national conversation that seeks to promote the nation’s well-being and encourages the principles of integrity, accountability, and transparency by those who hold public office”.

“Additionally, the JCC unequivocally asserts that this is not the time to contemplate changes to the Integrity Commission Act, due to pressure from the Government, the Opposition and/or partisan public outcry. We assert the importance of the IC as an important instrument of national development and its role in enhancing the perception, credibility and reputation of the country within the international community. Therefore, the JCC encourages the nation to patiently await the completion of the current process,” Gooden-Benguche concluded.