February 16 (Portal) – Jamaica’s anti-corruption agency said Thursday the prime minister would not be charged after investigating a possible conflict of interest related to government contracts awarded to a construction company between 2006 and 2009.
The head of the Integrity Commission said its leadership had decided no changes would be made against Prime Minister Andrew Holness over allegations he recommended contracts with Westcon Construction Limited.
In a letter to Parliament, the commission chairs noted that the inquiry into the prime minister “(neither) contradicted nor presented any further evidence in support of the offences”, meaning that “no criminal charges can be brought”.
The Integrity Commission released a 107-page special report this week saying it will investigate the allegations against Holness, noting that two Westcon directors have been “known” to Holness for more than 20 years and shared business connections.
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Holness said he “strongly disagrees with the Integrity Committee’s findings regarding conflicts of interest based on mere association.”
The prime minister’s office declined to comment on the latest development.
Holness previously led the Department of Education, which awarded Westcon 10 contracts totaling nearly JMD22 million (US$140,000) over a two-year period.
reporting from Isabel Woodford in Mexico City and Kate Chappell in Kingston; Editing by Stephen Coates, Robert Birsel
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