ST JAMES, Jamaica – Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon has weighed in on the Supreme Court granting Prime Minister Andrew Holness leave to apply for judicial review of the Integrity Commission (IC) report on his statutory declarations.

Senator Morris Dixon in fielding questions from the Jamaica Observer during a media interview in St James on Friday said that while she does not normally speak on non-government matters, she is aware that her boss is pleased with the outcome in court on Friday.

READ: Supreme Court grants Holness leave for judicial review of IC report

“I know that he is quite happy and I think many of us are happy to have seen that the case can be brought forward. And I think that’s why you have a judicial system like we have. And it’s one that we must celebrate where anyone who feels there is an issue or there’s a matter that can go before the court can do so and be heard,” stated Senator Morris Dixon in a quick response.

The prime minister through his lawyers are of the view that the commission acted unfairly and unlawfully in its conduct of an investigation into his statutory declarations. As a result, the team had sought leave to challenge the processes engaged by the commission and its director of investigations, Kevon Stephenson, on several grounds.

In response, the Supreme Court ruled on two important grounds on Friday.

Justice Althea Jarrett who heard the matter in chambers ruled that the prime minister may be allowed to use the Judicial Review Court to challenge the Integrity Commission report and processes engaged by Stephenson and his decision to send his report to Parliament for tabling.

Besides, the prime minister was also granted leave to challenge the commission’s referral of his statutory declarations to the Financial Investigation Division (FID).

The first hearing on the matter is scheduled for January 7, 2025.

Senator Morris Dixon noted that while the end result is not known, it is good to see the justice system at work.

“It’s not just about the prime minister, it’s a good day for justice, generally, in Jamaica because anyone can go before the court with any issue or any matter that they would like reviewed and that’s something that’s really special about our country. Where it will go, I don’t know, but it is good to see our justice system at work,” stated Senator Morris Dixon.

– Anthony Lewis