Political debate continues over the findings of Parliament’s Select Committee review of the Crest Effectiveness Review of the Integrity Commission after Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam challenged several of the committee’s conclusions in a letter to House Speaker Gordon Burton.
In the July 30 correspondence, the Governor said the committee’s report contains what she described as “inaccurate or misleading” statements, including unsubstantiated allegations about the role of current and former Governors in the affairs of the Integrity Commission. She also questioned the report’s handling of constitutional matters and called for the parliamentary record to be corrected.
Speaker of the House Hon. Gordon Burton read the speech in parliament. The Governor went on to state in the letter that the Select Committee’s report wrongly suggests that the challenges facing the Integrity Commission are the result of the Governor’s involvement, despite providing no evidence to support that claim. She argued that the report overlooks broader issues such as legislation, resources and governance. The Governor called for the parliamentary record to be corrected, asked that future debate be based on accurate facts and constitutional principles, and requested that her office be consulted on matters relating to her constitutional responsibilities before they are brought before Parliament.
The Premier and the Leader of the Opposition gave a response to her claims.
The Premier then went on to discuss the integrity commission further and gave more recommendations for moving forward.
