The Integrity Commission & the Attorney General’s Chambers jointly released a statement to RTC News following a fake story.
This matter on a publication by someone who appears to be under a pseudonym has been published on various social media sites viciously defaming the Registrar of Lands, Ms. Brandie Anderson.
Ms. Anderson was appointed Registrar of Lands, on November 3rd, 2014 following an open competition for the post and was successful having gone through the procedures set out in the Public Service Ordinance.
Ms. Anderson came to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government with various qualifications and having had over twelve years of legal practice in the private and public sectors in Jamaica and has transformed the Land Registry into an efficient operation in accordance with the requirements of the Registered Land Ordinance and has garnered the respect of her peers both within and outside of the public service. Ms. Anderson came to the Turks and Caicos Islands with a clean police record.
Having seen the public statement from the Integrity Commission, it is now very clear that some person or persons hiding behind the name “Joshua Pierre” made a malicious and damaging publication that has no basis in truth as it has been confirmed that no investigation into Ms. Anderson is being carried out by the Integrity Commission.
The Commission has a constitutional and statutory obligation to investigate every complaint or report of alleged act of corruption or breach of the Code of Conduct with a view primarily, to establish the truth or falsity of the complaint or report. This is what the Commission proposes to do in this case.
The Commission recognizes that social media provides a platform through which persons freely interact and communicate various information on any matter, using their names, pseudonyms or plainly anonymous. When social media exchanges relate to or concern the Commission or its operations, it is not the policy of the Commission to respond to such exchanges, unless it is absolutely necessary to safeguard not only the effective discharge of the Commission’s mandate but also public confidence in its ability to continue to do so. This includes the discharge of its strict confidentiality obligations. Equally to be emphasized, is that persons who use the liberty of social media as a cloak to make or give false and malicious information, complaints or reports against other persons, agencies or institutions, must be prepared to face the severe consequences under the law for so doing.
The Government’s funds, including that, which have been appropriated to the Land Registry, are managed and paid through strict financial management and procurement procedures, and audited at the end of each Financial Year. There has been no finding to implicate Ms. Anderson of any wrongdoing since she commenced her service with TCIG.
All persons are reminded of the serious legal consequences of causing damage to the professional reputation of public officers who are merely seeking to carry out their functions in accordance with the high professional standards of the public service. Public officers are reminded of Circular No.2 on Social Media issued by the Deputy Governor in June 2017 and in particular, that under penalty of law, officers are reminded to uphold and maintain the highest ethical and processional standards and to not -in activities that would bring himself or herself or the public service into disrepute, and at all times shall discharge his or her duties and generally conduct himself or herself with integrity, impartiality and honesty.”
This matter has been referred to the Police.
