PNP leaders renew calls for Andrew Wheatley to leave Cabinet after Integrity Commission report

Golding says no PNP MPs or senators under illicit enrichment probe, renews call for Wheatley to step down

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Mark Golding says that, to the best of his knowledge, no People's National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament (MP) or senator is currently under investigation by the Integrity Commission (IC) for illicit enrichment. “None of my members, to the best of my knowledge, are under investigation,” Golding said. He made the disclosure during a press conference on Thursday while renewing calls for Dr Andrew Wheatley to immediately resign from the Cabinet following findings outlined in an IC investigation report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. The IC report recommended that Wheatley be charged with illicit enrichment after concluding that the St Catherine South Central MP possessed assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings, amounting to approximately $164 million, and was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the discrepancy. Wheatley has strongly rejected the report’s findings, issuing a detailed statement in which he accused investigators of disregarding evidence that he believes would have significantly altered the outcome of the investigation. READ: WHEATLEY’S WOES Addressing reporters on Thursday, Golding expressed confidence in the integrity of his party, explaining that his conclusion is based on guidance previously provided by representatives of the IC on the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee. According to him, individuals being investigated for illicit enrichment would be aware of the probe because they would have been contacted and asked to submit information supporting their asset declarations. He said that after annual IC reports revealed that several public officials were under investigation for illicit enrichment, he personally questioned all PNP MPs and senators on the matter. “I individually asked each of our MPs and senators that question at a time when the annual reports of the Integrity Commission had shown that at first it was six persons who were under investigation for illicit enrichment, then, in] a subsequent report, that number increased to eight,” he said. “The answer was across the board. None of our MPs or senators said to me they are under investigation for illicit enrichment, and they knew I was asking them this for the reason that I was going to have to respond to the public [about] our situation on our side,” Golding added. Golding’s remarks came as he renewed his call for Dr Wheatley to resign from the Cabinet or be removed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “The prime minister has that power right away to do it, and no doubt is considering what to do,” Golding said. He argued that the matter was bigger than personal relationships and centred on Jamaica's reputation and standards of governance. “What really matters is Jamaica's reputation, our image internationally and locally, and upholding the rule of law and decency in public life,” Golding said. “The prime minister has a responsibility to lead in that regard and cannot continue to embrace somebody in this Cabinet who has serious charges pending against him.” Golding also indicated that the Opposition intends to seek support from other groups in society for its position. “We will continue to agitate for it until we get an outcome which we think is the best for Jamaica,” he said. Golding also referenced an ongoing matter involving Prime Minister Holness, noting that the Integrity Commission had previously referred findings concerning the prime minister's statutory declarations to the Financial Investigations Division (FID) for further investigation. READ: Integrity Commission wants FID, TAJ to probe aspects of PM’s financial affairs He argued that issues of accountability and integrity in public office make it even more important for decisive action to be taken regarding Wheatley’s Cabinet position. “We hope that all well-thinking Jamaicans and all organisations that have an interest in national development and the good governance of the country will put some pressure on the Government so that the right thing can be done,” Golding said.

10 hours ago

PNP youth arm joins call for Wheatley to resign from Cabinet after IC report

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The young professional affiliate of the People’s National Party (PNP), PNP Patriots, has joined the call for Dr Andrew Wheatley to immediately resign from the Cabinet following findings outlined in a recent Integrity Commission (IC) investigation report. The report, which was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, recommends that Wheatley be charged with illicit enrichment. The Integrity Commission concluded that the St Catherine South Central Member of Parliament possessed assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings, amounting to approximately $164 million, and was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the discrepancy. Wheatley has strongly rejected the report’s findings, issuing a detailed statement in which he accused investigators of disregarding evidence that he believes would have significantly altered the outcome of the investigation. READ: WHEATLEY’S WOES PNP President Mark Golding immediately called for Wheatley’s removal from the Cabinet. The PNP Patriots are now echoing that position, arguing that the findings leave the minister with no choice but to step aside. In a statement on Thursday, PNP Patriots President Paul Blake said Wheatley should not remain a Cabinet member while the report is before Parliament. “Let me make this unequivocally clear: Dr Andrew Wheatley must not remain in the Cabinet of Jamaica while an Integrity Commission report before Parliament exposes grave concerns regarding unexplained assets, statutory declarations and non-compliance with lawful information requests,” he said. “Public office is a duty, not a private privilege. Jamaica demands leaders who act with unwavering integrity, whose loyalty is solely to the Jamaican people, and who recognise that accountability is a non-negotiable obligation,” Blake continued. Blake argued that the issue extends beyond Wheatley and raises questions about governance and accountability within the administration. “The prime minister must be accountable for the political culture he perpetuates within the Jamaica Labour Party. Repeated questions about integrity involving his government members cannot be dismissed by silence or delay without implicating him in complicity. The prime minister cannot claim to champion good governance while allowing individuals under serious integrity investigations to remain protected by Cabinet status,” he said. The group also called on Prime Minister Andrew Holness to remove Wheatley from the Cabinet if he does not resign voluntarily. “Anything less signals a disregard for justice and only reinforces the belief that cronyism prevails, birds of a feather flock together. Jamaica deserves a government that does not shelter scandal. Jamaica demands transparent leadership, honest service and officials committed to putting the country above personal gain,” Blake added. Meanwhile, General Secretary Davalle Grant pointed to previous statements by the prime minister in which Holness said he had searched “far and wide” among his members and found no one under investigation for illicit enrichment. “Today, one of two things must be true: either he was misled by members of his own administration or he misled the Jamaican people. Both possibilities are deeply troubling. This matter cannot and will not be swept under the rug. The prime minister owes the country a full and frank explanation,” Grant said. He urged Holness to clarify whether any other members of the Government are currently under investigation for illicit enrichment. The PNP Patriots said Parliament should treat the Integrity Commission report as a serious matter and called for action in response to its findings.

13 hours ago

Golding calls for removal of Wheatley from Cabinet amid IC report

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Mark Golding is calling for the immediate removal of Dr Andrew Wheatley from his position as minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, following the tabling of an Integrity Commission (IC) Investigation Report recommending multiple charges against him. In a statement Wednesday evening, Golding noted that based on that report, the director of corruption prosecution determined that Dr Wheatley is to be charged with four criminal charges, including illicit enrichment, knowingly making false statements in statutory declarations and failing to provide information to the director of information and complaints as required by law. "A minister who has been recommended for prosecution on four criminal charges, including the serious offence of illicit enrichment, cannot be allowed to remain in the Cabinet of Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness must act immediately. The integrity of our public institutions and the trust of the Jamaican people demand nothing less," said the opposition leader. The report, completed by the director of investigation on March 20, 2026 and confirmed by the director of corruption prosecution on June 11, 2026, alleges that Wheatley acquired assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings by approximately $164 million over nine years, and was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation when formally required to do so. Wheatley has maintained his innocence, pointing to what he says is $168 million in real estate earnings that he says were not taken into consideration by the IC. READ: Wheatley rejects IC report as ‘false’, points to ‘ignored’ real estate earnings Golding also noted that this is not the first occasion on which serious questions have been raised about Wheatley's conduct in public office. He highlighted that despite his previous ministerial conduct having resulted in his removal from Cabinet for an extended period, Holness chose to reappoint him after the 2025 general election. The opposition leader said this raises the question of whether Wheatley informed the prime minister of this ongoing IC investigation or kept it from him. Either way, Golding says, the decision to reappoint him to the Cabinet has now been shown to be a grave misjudgment. "Prime Minister Holness brought Dr Wheatley back into Cabinet, despite the clear warning signs. Good governance is not a mere slogan, it is a required standard. The prime minister has a duty to uphold that standard, immediately and without hesitation," said Golding.

1 day ago