Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Prime Minister Bruce Golding gives Joan Gordon-Webley a hearty hug on his arrival at the Jamaica Labour Party's Area Council One meeting, held yesterday at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Old Hope Road, St. Andrew. -Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Prime Minister Bruce Golding will be taking steps today to appoint a special prosecutor to probe, indict and imprison public officials guilty of corruption or misconduct.

Speaking amid festive supporters at the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Area Council One meeting held yesterday at the Chinese Benevolent Association in St. Andrew, Golding said he would be having a meeting today at Jamaica House to discuss the appointment, which would come under the auspices of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

"Any offence that may have been committed under existing law is prosecutable; the appointment of a special prosecutor does not absolve or does not indemnify any wrongdoing that took place before. It's just a specialised area in terms of our prosecutorial capability to strengthen that," Golding told The Gleaner.

While not giving a specific time frame when the special prosecutor would be appointed, the newly elected Prime Minister said he has had discussions with Attorney-General Senator Dorothy Lightbourne on the watchdog's role.

Golding identified the elimination of corruption among public officials as a major plank of his election campaign.

In his swearing-in speech, Golding also mentioned the special prosecutor, who would be given powers to prosecute public officials guilty of misuse of public funds for personal gain.

Taking no sides

Transparency International, in its 2006 Corruption Perception Index which ranks countries on the perceived degree of corruption among public officials and politicians, scored Jamaica at 3.7, with 10 being the highest score and zero the lowest.

Golding said his Government would seek to cultivate a culture that discouraged corrupt acts. He also pointed out that members of his party would not be exempted from the powers of the special prosecutor.

"When that special prosecutor turns up at anybody's door with a pair of handcuffs because they have evidence that that person has been involved in corruption, don't take out nuh green shirt and show him and say that I'm a Labourite," he said to loud cheers from supporters attending the meeting.

The Prime Minister also indicated that he would be putting together a team today to look at the legislative programme to fulfil the promises he made during the election campaign.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com