The Government has registered an objection to the appointment of Roneiph Lawrence as acting director of corruption prosecution at the Integrity Commission on the basis that he is reportedly a long-time friend of People’s National Party (PNP) General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell.

The objection is made in a letter written by Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Edmund Bartlett and Government Senate Leader Kamina Johnson Smith to Integrity Commission chair, retired Justice Carol Lawrence Beswick.

“We have taken note of a publication on the Integrity Commission’s website which confirms the appointment of one Mr Roneiph Lawrence as acting director of corruption prosecution. We have also taken note of a social media post on January 26 this year by Dr Dayton Campbell, which is being widely circulated. Dr Campbell’s post contained a photograph of him in the company of the said Mr Lawrence at what purports to be Mr Lawrence’s wedding. Dr Campbell provides context for this photo in his description of Lawrence as his friend of over 20 years, dating back to Chancellor Hall/University days,” Bartlett and Johnson Smith said in the letter seen by the Jamaica Observer.

They assured Justice Beswick that they do not, for a moment, question Lawrence’s professional qualifications, nor do they question any individual’s constitutional right of affiliation or seek to interfere in the operations of the commission.

“However, as an eminent retired jurist you would well appreciate the fact that justice should not only be done but should be seen to be manifestly and demonstrably done. With respect to the Integrity Commission, the bar would undoubtedly be even higher,” they said in the letter.

Bartlett and Johnson Smith commented that the aforementioned context lends credibility to their concern that “given his publicly acknowledged close ‘mans of Block Aye’ two-decade-long friendship with the de facto chief executive officer of the PNP — who even appeared to be an integral participant at his nuptials”, any decision taken by Lawrence in respect of members of the political fraternity will certainly be open to question”.

Lawrence took up the key role a few days ago and under the Integrity Commission Act is now the final decision-maker on whether the commission elects to pursue criminal prosecution of public officials who are under investigation.

The leaders of both houses of Parliament noted that Campbell has used a political platform to make particular comments “about a case which, it subsequently came to public attention, was being considered for pursuit by the Integrity Commission”.

“We regrettably and unfortunately are therefore moved to register our serious concern regarding Mr Lawrence’s appointment as acting director of corruption prosecution at the Integrity Commission and his possible permanent appointment to the post,” Bartlett and Johnson Smith said.