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Assistant Chief Minister Andy Jehan has quit government, citing "severe concerns" about the “indefensible misuse of taxpayers money” within Health in an explosive resignation letter.
Mr Jehan, who is Constable for St John, said his decision had been a “difficult one and not one that I have taken lightly”.
In a resignation letter to Chief Minister Kristina Moore shared to X (formerly Twitter) shortly after 09:30 this morning, Constable Jehan took aim at Health Minister Karen Wilson, saying his key concerns revolved around:
appointments to the controversial new Health Advisory Board – and the money spent on it so far;
the Minister's "reluctance to endorse" the Government's future hospital plans;
delays to the debate on assisted dying;
and what he describes as a general "lack of any coherent strategy".
In particular, Constable Jehan said he had been "shocked and disappointed" about the recent appointment of Health's former leader Julie Garbutt – who left five years ago with a £187,000 payout – to an NED role on the Advisory Board for which she will be paid up to £14,000-a-year.
Constable Jehan also said that he had only been informed of the intention to extend the appointment of the Interim Chair – Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor, whose own £85,000 report led to the controversial creation of the board – via a draft press release. This has not yet been officially communicated to media or the public.
The extension to the appointment comes despite an "excellent" candidate having been recommended for the permanent position, he claimed.
"From November '22 to the end of October '23 the Government has paid in excess of £250,000 to the Interim Chair of the health advisory board and spent a further £73,000 on an independent recruitment agency tasked with recruiting to the Board," the Constable said.
"You will be fully aware that the Health Advisor Board has only met twice during this same period and that despite the Jersey Appointments Commission recommending an 'excellent' candidate who had been through due process, the Health Minister decided against appointing a new candidate and the search for a permanent Chair continues."
He also alleged that after "raising concerns over the cost of the Health Advisory Board", he was "no longer invited" to update meetings about its work.
Constable Jehan will also be stepping down from his role as Vice Chair of the States Employment Board, which has seen him locked in a pay and conditions dispute with teaching staff over the past year.
On Friday, he said he was "disappointed" to announce that a £1,000 one-off payment to teachers had been rejected, with NASUWT members due to withdraw from all activities outside of lessons from tomorrow, and the NEU still due to strike for three days in December.
The Constable was previously accused by NASUWT of inflaming the row by making "ignorant" comments that showed a "lack of respect" and "disregard for [teachers'] dedication and professionalism".
Constable Jehan said in his letter that he was "sad to leave at a time when further work is needed and underway" to resolve the ongoing row.
Elsewhere in the letter, he defended spending on the Our Stars Awards for civil servants.
The lavish ceremony this year cost taxpayers £66,000 – more than the three previous years combined because a decision was taken not to mitigate costs with corporate sponsorship over concerns about potential "conflicts of interest".
"For the avoidance of doubt, my decision has nothing to do with the recent criticism, from some, about the Our Stars awards. I stand by the decision to recognise the great work done by staff across government and believe that this is a key component in retaining the dedicated and professional public service Jersey needs," he said.
"When standing for election I promised parishioners that I would push for 'value for money' and whilst I am happy to defend spends such as Our Stars, I cannot and will not defend what I believe to be the indefensible misuse of taxpayers money. Spending in excess of £320,000 and still not having a full Health Advisory Board is simply unacceptable," he said.
Concluding, Constable Jehan said that it had been a "pleasure" to work with the Council of Ministers, adding: "I am disappointed to be leaving a great set of Officers, people who are both professional and hardworking, but again my decision has to rise above any personal feelings and/or loyalty.
"Having worked with you for many years, I have appreciated our ability to disagree on subjects, without it impacting on our ability to work together, something I hope that will continue."
Responding to Constable Jehan's Health concerns in her reply, the Chief Minister said: "I am very much aware of the concerns you hold regarding the performance of our health service over recent years, which I share. We have a collective determination to deliver the improvements that are necessary.
"Your views on the leadership of the HCS Advisory Board – which we agree will be central to overseeing the progress we need – were known to the Council of Ministers. I respect that your decision to resign following the extension of the Interim Chair of the Board is a matter of principle for you. I regret that we have arrived at a position where your resignation on this matter has been required."
It is with great regret that I have received Constable Jehan’s resignation. He brought extensive experience to the SEB and I valued his advice. He has resigned on a matter of principle & I respect his decision.
— Chief Minister of Jersey (@ChiefMinJSY) November 26, 2023
Deputy Elaine Millar will now take the role as Vice-Chair of the SEB. pic.twitter.com/E1ZntfW8zn
She went on to describe Constable Jehan as a "loss to Government", adding: "My door is always open to you."
Click below to read the letter in full, and the Chief Minister's response...
Follow Express for updates...
READ: Andy Jean's resignation letter in full
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