The Integrity Commission (IC) has announced its intention to pursue the removal of the former Minister with responsibility for Works, Everald Warmington, from both the Integrity Commission Parliament Oversight Committee and the Joint Select Committee for the Review of the Integrity Commission Act. In a release the Commission highlighted that “these deliberations were aimed at upholding the Commission’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and
good governance within the Government.”
Read the release:
March 5, 2024
The Integrity Commission, during its regular monthly meeting held on Monday,
March 4, discussed the recent statements that were made by the former Minister
responsible for Works, regarding withholding funds from an Opposition Councillor.
During the meeting, the following decisions were made:
Communication with the Integrity Commission Parliament Oversight Committee
and the Joint Select Committee for the Review of the Integrity Commission Act:
The Integrity Commission will write to the Chairman of the Integrity Commission
Parliament Oversight Committee and the Joint Select Committee for the Review
of the Integrity Commission Act. The letter will express the Commission’s stance
that the former Minister should not continue to be a member of the Committees.
This recommendation is made, among other things, in light of the preamble of the
Act which states that the Act is “to Promote and enhance standards of ethical
conduct for Parliamentarians, Public Officials and other persons…”
The Commission notes that the former Minister’s actions fall well short of
standards and conduct that are becoming of a Minister and Parliamentarian.
Communication with the Speaker of the House:
The Integrity Commission will also write to the Speaker of the House, suggesting
that the Ethics Committee addresses the matter. This step is seen as essential to
ensure that the issue is appropriately handled within the parliamentary
framework.
Exploration of Further Steps:
The Integrity Commission, in line with its functions and mandate, as outlined in
the Integrity Commission Act, also had discussions on additional steps that may be
taken to address the situation. These deliberations were aimed at upholding the
Commission’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and
good governance within the Government.
