Golding demands immediate tabling of IC report on FLA

KINSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Mark Golding is demanding that an Integrity Commission (IC) investigative report into the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) be tabled at the next sitting of the House of Representatives.

In a letter addressed to House Speaker Juliet Holness on Monday, Golding said the report was submitted to Parliament on March 30, 2026, but has yet to be presented in the House.

Referencing a Sunday Gleaner article, Golding said the House speaker received correspondence from the Integrity Commission that the report addresses allegations of “corruption, impropriety and irregularities” in the granting, variation and revocation of firearm licences, as well as the storage of firearms and ammunition at the FLA.

He argued that the continued delay in releasing the report is a matter of serious public concern, stressing that the FLA is a public body with significant statutory responsibilities and, therefore, subject to public scrutiny and accountability.

“Its protracted non-disclosure is a very serious and dangerous matter. The FLA is not a private citizen. It is a public body with statutory responsibility for serious functions. It is therefore clearly a strong public interest in exposing and addressing any impropriety or irregularities affecting the FLA’s operations,” Golding said.

He also dismissed suggestions that ongoing court proceedings justify withholding the report, maintaining that transparency and public discussion are essential in a democratic society.

“The existence of court proceedings cannot be a lawful or proper basis for the continuing non-disclosure of this report. In this context, it is relevant to note that the courts have recognised that public discourse and criticism are vital to a democratic society, and that public bodies are expected to endure scrutiny rather than use the courts to defeat transparency, undermine accountability and silence critics,” Golding said.

“This is why the courts have determined (see, for example, Derbyshire County Council v Times Newspapers) that allowing public authorities to sue for damage to their ‘governing or administrative reputation’ would severely stifle public opinion, which the courts will not countenance,” he continued.

According to Golding, unless there is a specific court order preventing disclosure, the report should be tabled without further delay.

“As leader of the Opposition, it is therefore my duty to demand the tabling of this report at the next meeting of the House,” Golding said. “I trust that, as speaker of the House, you will also do your duty by ensuring that this happens next Tuesday afternoon.”