Deputy kicked out after vile “faking it” slur on Twitter

Saturday 06 September 2014

A founder member of Reform Jersey has been slung out of the party for a “sexist, insensitive and derogatory” remark on Twitter thought to have been aimed at a fellow Deputy who is recovering from cancer treatment.

The political party – which has been in existence for less than a year – has kicked out Deputy Nick Le Cornu over his tweet to his 291 followers on Thursday afternoon that read: “SHE is back and so conveniently in time. Faking it like all good girls do.”

That message is believed to have referred to St Peter Deputy Kristina Moore, who has only just announced that she will fight for re-election after being treated for breast cancer over the last two years. Reform Jersey have a candidate contesting the seat in the elections next month.

At a meeting yesterday, the party’s management committee unanimously decided that Deputy Le Cornu – who serves the St Helier No 1 district that covers the Havre des Pas area - had to go immediately.

Reform Jersey chairman Deputy Sam Mezec has offered a full apology on the party’s behalf to Deputy Moore.

In a statement this morning, he said: “On Thursday afternoon Deputy Le Cornu sent out a Tweet which was widely judged to have been sexist, insensitive and derogatory in nature.

"What Deputy Le Cornu said was completely unacceptable. It is contrary to our core values of equality and respect, especially at a time when we are fighting to improve the rights and representation of women in society.

“We believe this has rendered his membership untenable.”

The Privileges and Procedures Committee which is meant to handle disciplinary matters involving States Members is thought to be looking into the matter, but they have a poor record of actually ever taking action against a politician.