"I have every intention of fighting to clear my name"

Tuesday 08 June 2021

Deputy Jeremy Maçon has resigned as Minister for Children and Education due to the continuing Police investigation against him and the "negative impact" it has had on his family.

In a resignation letter sent to the Chief Minister shortly before 17:30 yesterday, Deputy Maçon was clear that his decision to step down did not constitute an acceptance of guilt in relation to any allegation made against him - and said that, should he be charged with an offence, he has "every intention of fighting to clear my name."

It was the Deputy's first public statement since he was removed from his role by Senator John Le Fondré "until further notice" in late March, saying he was "not currently capable of fulfilling his Ministerial duties."

At that time, Deputy Maçon had recently been arrested. He remains on bail. Police have never confirmed the allegations that have been made against him. They told Express this morning that there were "no updates" in relation to the 33-year-old man they had arrested in March.

Deputy Maçon, who described his decision to resign as Education Minister as "extremely difficult" to reach, told Senator Le Fondré his decision to step down was also partially driven by concerns that the "continuing situation" may "be used to undermine" the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers or provide a "distraction from the excellent work being done by this Government."

The Chief Minister said last night: "This evening I received an email from Deputy Jeremy Maçon, resigning as Minister for Children and Education, effective immediately. I have accepted his resignation. 

"In accordance with the States of Jersey Law, I will bring forward the nomination of a candidate to take on the critical role of Minister for Children and Education as soon as possible.

"Given the ongoing Police investigation, I will not be making any further comment on this matter.”

In a short statement accompanying his resignation letter, Deputy Maçon said: "I will be making no further comment and hope that my privacy and that of my family will be respected."

READ: The full resignation letter...

Dear Senator Le Fondré,

Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to serve as part of your government during this political term as Assistant Minister and Minister.

Even under the pressures of the pandemic, I feel that much has been achieved this term by the Government including greater maternity and paternity rights, increased funding for schools, on-island mental health nurse training and expanded early years provision.

Given the continuing police investigation against me and its considerable negative impact on both me and my family, I have reluctantly come to the decision that, for the good of my family, the Island and my colleagues, I should now stand down as Minister. This has been an extremely difficult decision to reach, made harder as I had sincerely hoped that matters would have been long since resolved. However, as they are not, I would not want this continuing situation to be used to undermine you, our colleagues on the Council of Ministers or to act as a distraction from the excellent work being done by this Government.

I should make it plain that, despite taking the decision to resign from my Ministerial post, I do not accept guilt in relation to any allegation that has been made against me nor is it to be interpreted as such and if I come to be charged with a criminal offence in due course, I have every intention of fighting to clear my name.

Accordingly, please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my Ministerial role in order that I can now solely concentrate on serving my constituents to the best of my ability.

Yours sincerely,

Deputy Jeremy Maçon