Executive Director of the Integrity Commission, Craig Beresford says the concern expressed by its chairman about increasing litigation against the Commission and its executives relates to matters being challenged in the court while investigations are ongoing.

In her remarks in the Integrity Commission’s 2025-2026 Annual Report, Chairman, retired Justice Carol Lawrence Beswick, cautioned that an increasing number of lawsuits against the body and its leadership could hamper the fight against corruption.

She argued that the courts play a vital role in upholding the rule of law and keeping public bodies within their legal authority.

But according to her, it’s equally important that the Commission’s lawful work is not frustrated, delayed or undermined by actions designed solely to discourage robust investigations or to stop the Commission from carrying out its mandate.

And the IC says it supports the suggestion for the filing of statutory declarations by staff at the Integrity Commission to be examined by an external body.

According to Beresford, this proposal was first made by the Commission in 2021.

Craig Beresford, Executive Director of the Integrity Commission.

He was speaking at the media briefing held at Commission’s headquarters in New Kingston on Tuesday.