LAST Sunday this newspaper voiced disappointment that Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness saw fit to recommend a revision of the law governing Integrity Commission (IC), following that body’s tabling of his statutory declarations for 2019-2022.

As is now well known, the commission did not certify Mr Holness’s declarations, even though no specific wrongdoing was identified. Instead, it referred the matter to Financial Investigations Division (FID) and to tax authorities for further probe.

It was during a passionate defence of his integrity in Parliament that an obviously annoyed Dr Holness suggested revision of the law applicable to the IC.

We felt that the prime minister, “like all other individuals who feel they have been wronged, has a right to state his case…” However, we argued that for Mr Holness to “quarrel” with the IC, because its report was not to his liking, was “unbecoming and should have been avoided at all costs”.

Since then we have been left appalled by a comment from — of all people — our Justice Minister Mr Delroy Chuck that the commission should be “mandated” to certify the prime minister’s declarations.

The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper reports Mr Chuck as saying during a meeting of the IC’s oversight committee in Parliament that: “It is about time that this report be the final report, and the IC should be mandated to certify the prime minister’s declaration forthwith because it has found nothing that could in any way suggest that there is any wrongdoing…”

It seems to us that, regardless of anything else, a fundamental problem with Mr Chuck’s line of reasoning is that the IC has already recommended further investigations by FID and Tax Administration Jamaica. That’s done. Any attempt to backtrack on, or stymie the recommended further probing would only leave a cloud over the prime minister too thick to cut through.

Surely, Mr Chuck appreciates that?

We believe that private sector organisations — including business groups Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association — and the Jamaica Council of Churches are on point in urging that the “process” put in train by the IC takes place without interference.

We are at one with business leaders that, “It is essential that we allow the institutions of good governance and oversight to have the freedom to carry out their mandates without public intimidation, derision, or coercion.”

And further that, “It is imperative that both our leaders and the agencies involved approach this serious matter with professionalism, ensuring their actions are executed with utmost care, transparency, and respect.”

This newspaper applauds the JCC’s assertion of “the importance of the [IC] as an… instrument of national development and its role in enhancing the perception, credibility, and reputation of the country…”

Additionally, we agree with the JCC encouraging Jamaicans “to patiently await the completion of the current process…”

Beyond all that, we welcome news that next week, commissioners of the IC will meet with the oversight committee of Parliament.

We expect searching questions — without seeking to hamstring or undermine the commission — and illuminating answers for the greater good of all.