Contractor General Greg Christie's proposal that public sector agencies which withhold information from his office should face the full brunt of the law, landed him in a verbal confrontation with K.D. Knight, a Government member of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Mr. Christie, who appeared before the PAC Tuesday, told members that public officers should be brought to book for this offence.
He charged that the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) withheld information from his office. However, Mr. Knight said Mr. Christie fell down on the job because he did not report the offence to the police.
In a quick response, Mr. Christie argued that while the action of the UDC could attract a criminal sanction, his office would first have to establish mens rea or criminal intent on the part of the UDC.
He said at this point his office does not have that proof. However, he suggested that his office would pursue the matter further.
The PAC was holding its second meeting as it investigates a US$43 million (J$3.83 billion) in cost overruns on the controversial Sandals Whitehouse hotel project.
