Prime Minister Andrew Holness has strongly rejected allegations of potential conflict of interest against him regarding the award of Government contracts during the period 2006-2009.

According to an investigative report from the Integrity Commission, Holness was implicated in allegations of conflict of interest regarding contracts awarded to close associates when he was Minister of Education, and has been referred for potential prosecution.

READ: Holness cited for possible conflict of interest, breaches of Corruption Act

However, in a statement on Wednesday evening, Holness hit back at the allegations which he said are “based on mere association.”

“I strongly reject any suggestion or insinuation of wrongdoing and I will do all in my power to ensure that the truth is known,” Holness said.

See complete statement by the prime minister below.

I have just completed my preliminary review of the integrity Commission Report. Please note my initial comments:

1. The matter covered in the report of the OCG/Integrity Commission concerning the award of contracts as far back as 2006-2009, over 14- 17 years ago.

2. The failure of agencies to comply with various procurement rules cannot be attributed to me in any capacity and we note that the report does not make such a conclusion.

3. In my response to the Integrity Commission queries of these dated matters, I made it absolutely clear that at no time have I ever exercised influence on any process for the award of contracts.

4. I strongly disagree with the findings of the Integrity Commission regarding conflict of interest based on mere association.

5. It has been the longstanding practice that Members of Parliament are asked to recommend local contractors to undertake works in their constituencies as a practical matter. This practice was introduced during the 1990s and has continued across multiple administrations since. Furthermore, it is also the practice that Constituency Project Officers for the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are recommended by the Member of Parliament. It is not unusual that CDF Projects Officers are persons who are already working in the constituency organization and are associated with the MP. I am certain that a review of local works and CDF Projects Officers will find that MP recommendations feature significantly in a vast number of them, and this has never been cited as exercising undue influence.

6. The Integrity Commission’s report also ignores the circumstances of an emergency, where in 2008, 15 years ago the ‘Christmas Work’ programme was late in starting and workers faced a high probability of not being paid. I was asked to recommend an entity to facilitate payment of the ‘Christmas Work Programme’ before the close of business for the Christmas holidays. This was done in good faith. To see this being targeted and made into something it is not, is gravely disappointing.

7. I strongly disagree with some of the findings of the report and have referred it to my lawyers. I strongly reject any suggestion or insinuation of wrongdoing and I will do all in my power to ensure that the truth is known.

8. I, and the government I lead, remain strongly committed to tackling corruption in our country. The processes of doing so must, however, be practical, balanced, and fair to all concerned.