Jamaica's Integrity Commission Chairman Unfazed By Threats

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Justice (ret’d) Seymour Panton, Chairman of Jamaica’s Integrity Commission (IC), has vowed that neither he nor the commission’s members and staff will be intimidated by a wave of threats and defamatory remarks aimed at undermining their work.

His remarks come amid growing tensions, both online and politically, following the tabling of an Integrity Commission report that scrutinized Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ financial affairs.

Panton’s response was triggered by a threatening social media post targeting IC Director of Investigations Kevon Stephenson. The post, which appeared on Saturday, read: “Yes! Nasty PNP bwoy yu must go down old germs,” a message that Panton described as an attempt to incite fear and deter the IC from carrying out its duties.

“This kind of rhetoric is clearly designed to intimidate, but we will not be moved,” Panton stated in an interview on Saturday. He added that the matter has been reported to National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang. When asked for comment, Chang stated that if a threat was made, it is the responsibility of the police to investigate, adding that he would be briefed thereafter.

Stephenson confirmed that he plans to make a formal report to the police on Monday.

In addition to online threats, Panton highlighted defamatory remarks made by senior politicians targeting the IC commissioners. He revealed that a lawmaker from a rural parish had circulated images of IC members, alongside claims that the commission was working to “bring down the prime minister and his government.” Panton said the issue was under legal consideration and expressed concern over the silence of other politicians in the face of these attacks.

“There are members who are saying things and doing things that cause their supporters to act in a way that threatens and libels members of the Commission,” Panton said. “I will not be intimidated by any of them.”

A screenshot of the post, reportedly shared on September 17, accused the IC of attempting to undermine Prime Minister Holness following the Commission’s referral of Holness’ financial matters to the Financial Investigations Division and Tax Administration office.

When contacted by The Sunday Gleaner, the lawmaker accused of sharing the post denied any involvement, stating, “I have never heard of this before.”

The threats and accusations have drawn concern from Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), a prominent human rights advocacy group. JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson condemned the inflammatory rhetoric, noting that while the IC should be held accountable, disparaging comments from political figures risk undermining the commission’s work.

“We have observed alarming comments made by some parliamentarians, cloaked in the security of parliamentary privilege, that suggest a witch-hunt by the IC or imply undue political affiliations,” Jackson said. She warned that such remarks, echoed by supporters on social media, are damaging to the IC’s credibility.

Jackson also reiterated JFJ’s stance that the IC should be constitutionally entrenched to safeguard it from political interference. “If lawmakers have legitimate concerns, the appropriate course of action is judicial review—not inflammatory comments that may incite attacks.”

In response to the heightened threats, the IC has increased its security. Last week, a well-known blogger called for protests against the Commission, accusing it of “bullying” and “misinformation” in its probe of Prime Minister Holness. The protest, however, failed to gain significant traction, with only a few demonstrators showing up outside the Commission’s New Kingston headquarters.

IC Executive Director Greg Christie emphasized that the Commission remains undeterred by these threats. “These threats are intended to intimidate us into fear and inaction. But they will not work,” Christie said. He assured that the IC would continue its work “forthright and resolute,” in service of Jamaica and its citizens.

Panton echoed this sentiment in a message to the IC staff, urging them to stay courageous despite the challenges. “We must be forthright and resolute in the continued discharge of our responsibilities and our oath of office, in the interest of our beloved country and our fellow citizens,” he said.