Ozouf denies leaking flight story to media

Monday 16 May 2016

Assistant Chief Minister Philip Ozouf has denied that he was behind the leak of information about expensive flights taken by civil servants that has led to an inquiry and States’ staff facing possible disciplinary action.

There have been widespread rumours that the Senator – whose remit covers the finance industry, innovation and competition policy – had been behind the initial leak of two Economic Development department staff’s £6,442 business class tickets to a mining conference in Cape Town in February.

That story has led to revelations that the last five years have seen almost £400,000 spent on flights costing more than £1,000 by States’ staff – and that some officers have been racking up air miles on personal accounts from taxpayer-funded flights.

A full review of the travel policy and recent business class flights is now being carried out, and is due to be published by the end of the month.

But Senator Ozouf dismissed speculation that the story had started with him.

He said: “I am not going to have it suggested to me that I have given any information. All information I have given about travel costs has been given appropriately.

“Any speculation is inappropriate.

“Unfortunately good officers have been caught in a tangle of political arguments about cost savings.

“Yes, the review of travel expenses has identified some opportunities for departments to do things in a different way but to go on a witch hunt of individuals is entirely wrong and unfair.

“Clearly there is an issue which should have been dealt with prior to this happening. Ministers should always back their chief officers. To use individuals in the flotsam and jetsam of politics is unfair and wrong.”

Details released so far show that close to £400,000 was spent by civil servants on 120 flight tickets costing more than £1,000 over the last five years.

Those figures revealed that of the 120 tickets costing £1,000 or more, four cost more than the £6,442 flexible business class tickets taken by Economic Development Chief Officer Mike King and Locate Jersey Director Wayne Gallichan took to a mining conference in Cape Town in February.

Those trips, which cost up to £6,852, were taken by International Affairs Adviser Colin Powell and Director of Financial Services Joe Moynihan – both of whom work closely with Senator Ozouf.

Last week, States Chief Executive John Richardson told the Public Accounts Committee that some ministers had effectively over-ruled States financial rules which require civil servants to fly economy while ministers fly business class – he said that they made the decision so that politicians could sit with staff through the flight, but did not explain why officers were allowed to “upgrade” instead of asking ministers to fly economy.

He also said that some staff had gold or silver cards with BA, which allowed them to claim extra Avios points for flights that they had booked, on top of the normal points allowance which went to the States.