Integrity Commission recommends reprimand for PNP councillor over wife’s application to rent space at Ocho Rios Transportation Centre

Director of Investigations at the Integrity Commission (IC) Kevon Stephenson has accused People’s National Party Councillor for the Beecher Town Division in St Ann, Ian Bell, of breaching conflict of interest and good governance standards.

The top IC investigator said Bell was in violation of conflict of interest guidelines when he attended and participated in meetings deliberating on his wife’s application to the St Ann Municipal Corporation to lease/rent a section of the Ocho Rios Transportation Centre and the construction of a commercial building. Stephenson argued that Bell should have recused himself.

The director of investigation has recommended that the Chairman of the St Ann Municipal Corporation Michael, Belnavis, should issue a formal reprimand to Bell for failing to withdraw and recuse himself from the Commercial Services Committee’s consideration of an application submitted by his wife.