After being accused by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley of “deliberately attempting to tarnish his reputation” by launching another investigation into him, the Integrity Commission is defending itself from his criticisms.
In a media statement on Tuesday, the Commission says: “While it is perhaps understandable for persons in public life to feel concerned or even irritated when asked to answer questions about the role that they may have played in the making of certain decisions, it is irresponsible to allow that concern or irritation to drive them to make accusations of collusion or mischief based on nothing more than the mere fact that they have been asked to answer questions.”
Rowley is being investigated for the awarding of four state contracts to his friend Allan Warner.
The Commission says it has a constitutional duty to ensure transparency in decision-making.
The Commission says it has never acted in cahoots with anyone in discharging its constitutional duty.
The Commission says it must be understood that answering questions about the role that one may have played in the making of certain decisions comes with the territory, when persons enter public life.