Politics
Dominica Integrity Commission deliberates Prime Minister Skerrit abuse of office
Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
The Integrity Commission in Dominica meets today to continue deliberations into the alleged breach of Rule (E) of the Code of Conduct of the Integrity in Public Office (IPO) Act by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
The Integrity Commission began investigations in 2010, following a complaint by journalist Lennox Linton against Prime Minister Skerrit.
In Linton’s complaints he alleged that Mr. Skerrit had breached a number of provisions under the Public Office Act of 2003.
According to Mr. Linton, Prime Minister Skerrit had breached several aspects of the code of conduct including:
– section 47(1), because he owned eight ocean front villas at Savanne Paille that could not be explained by his legitimate income;
– rule (c) of the code of conduct – since he had accepted bribes, gifts and advantages to finance his ownership of the same said villas;
And Rule (e) of the code of conduct since he had used his official influence as Chairman of Cabinet to secure concessions for a business concern in which he is alleged to hold ownership interest.
The first two components of the complaint were rejected by the Commission as they were not supported by evidence.
Prime Minister Skerrit and his legal team were expected to attend the deliberations, however it is not clear what course of action would be taken today.