Former permanent secretary in the health ministry, Errol Greene, says he’s a relieved man after a contempt matter brought against him by the Integrity Commission was thrown out by the court.
Greene spoke with Nationwide News on Wednesday.
Chevon Campbell reports.
The dispute stems from the commission’s investigation into alleged irregularities in contracts for the renovation of six Kingston apartments under the Jamaica-Cuba Eye Care Programme, the 50-year medical arrangement Jamaica ended in March.
In a notice dated August 28, 2025, the commission demanded a wide range of information from the health ministry.
The ministry handed over procurement documents, but refused to release the employment files of eight current and former officials, citing privacy concerns.
The commission then served a summons on Greene, ordering him to appear on March 27 with the files.
Days before that date, the attorney general and Greene went to the Supreme Court, arguing that the files contain sensitive personal information, such as medical and leave records, and that handing them over could breach constitutional privacy rights and the Data Protection Act.
On March 26, the court granted interim injunctions blocking the commission from acting on its notice and summons.
Greene also accused the commission of issuing the summons to intimidate him, a claim the commission denies.
For its part, the commission argues the files are needed to identify handwriting samples, banking details and contact information to verify possible fraud in the award of contracts.
It has warned that blocking its access could cripple corruption investigations across government.
Greene retired as permanent secretary at the end of August.
He told Nationwide News that while the Supreme Court has thrown out the IC’s case, his bid for a judicial review of the commission’s actions is still before the court.
