Church group calls for Wheatley to resign or be removal from Cabinet

A church body is urging Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness to remove Dr Andrew Wheatley from the Cabinet, arguing that allowing him to remain in office while he faces possible charges of illicit enrichment would undermine public confidence in national leadership.

The Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches (JUGC) on Thursday called for Wheatley, who is Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, to step aside pending the outcome of proceedings recommended by the Integrity Commission.

If Wheatley refuses, the organisation said Holness should relieve him of his ministerial responsibilities.

The Integrity Commission has recommended that Wheatley be charged with four offences, including illicit enrichment, after a probe found assets allegedly disproportionate to his lawful earnings by more than $164 million.

The disclosure came in a report tabled in the House of Representatives last week.

Illicit enrichment primarily refers to public officials owning assets disproportionate to their lawful earnings and failing to provide a satisfactory explanation when investigated by the Integrity Commission.

Documents tabled in Parliament show that the commission's Director of Corruption Prosecution also recommended charges of knowingly making false statements in statutory declarations — one count covering 2013 to 2017 and another covering 2018 to 2022 — along with a charge for failing to provide information requested by the commission's Director of Information and Complaints.

The investigation report separately flagged tax compliance concerns linked to a medical business Wheatley once owned and recommended that the matter be referred to the Commissioner General of the Tax Administration Jamaica.

Director of Investigations Kevon Stephenson probed the matter and referred his report to the corruption prosecutor, who recommended the charges.

Wheatley is a senior politician in the governing Jamaica Labour Party and the Member of Parliament for St Catherine South Central.

In a statement signed by Chairman Bishop Dr Roy Notice and Advocacy Representative Bishop Alvin Bailey, the church group said the allegations against Wheatley raised serious concerns about accountability, transparency and the standards expected of holders of public office.

"Public office is a sacred trust," the statement said.

"From both a constitutional and biblical perspective, those entrusted with authority are called to exercise that authority with integrity, transparency and accountability. These are not merely legal obligations; they are moral responsibilities that sustain public confidence and strengthen democratic governance."

The JUGC argued that Wheatley stepping aside would not amount to an admission of guilt but would instead protect the integrity of the Cabinet while preserving public confidence in the Government.

The organisation also questioned what it described as an apparent inconsistency between a public statement made by Holness in August 2023 and findings contained in the Integrity Commission's report.

According to the church group, Holness said at the time that, based on information available to him, no member of his political party had been notified of an illicit enrichment investigation.

However, the Integrity Commission's report indicates that Wheatley received notice on May 18, 2022, informing him that he was under investigation for alleged illicit enrichment.

"The apparent inconsistency between the Prime Minister's statement and the Integrity Commission's findings requires a full and credible explanation," the church leaders said.

"Jamaicans are entitled to the truth."

The JUGC said the issue extended beyond the fate of one minister, warning that the Government's response would set an important precedent for standards in public life.

"This matter is significant because it will test Jamaica's soul and our commitment to integrity, accountability and equal standards in public life," the statement said.

"If a Cabinet minister facing such serious allegations remains in office without consequence, we would send a dangerous message: that the rules which bind ordinary citizens do not equally bind those entrusted to make and uphold them."

The organisation urged national leaders to act with "courage, wisdom and moral clarity", insisting that Jamaica deserved "clear answers, decisive leadership, and assurance that the highest standards of public service are being upheld."

Wheatley has previously denied wrongdoing, describing the Integrity Commission's findings as "patently false, grossly misleading and inaccurate". He has argued that investigators failed to account for legitimate rental income and loan repayments and has said he intends to vigorously contest any charges in court.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

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