Stalemate in Parker second job row

Friday 06 November 2020

Stalemate in Parker second job row

Friday 06 November 2020

An impasse has been reached in the increasingly bitter row over the Government Chief Executive’s second job at a UK real estate firm, with both the CEO and Ministers refusing to back down.

Ministers overruled the Chief Minister in a crisis meeting last weekend, instructing him to tell Charlie Parker that his Non-Executive Director role at New River is “not compatible” with his duties as Jersey’s top civil servant.

That message was due to be delivered on Tuesday, with an update issued the following day.

But, with no agreement reached, the talks extended into a second day.

Ministers were finally called into a meeting yesterday morning, which lasted over three hours – but, far from being informed of a resolution, sources have told Express they were instead informed it was not the Chief Executive’s intention to step down.

Pictured: The Chief Minister is facing a vote of no confidence next week.

There was some discussion about how concerns over potential conflicts of interest could be eased, but this has apparently done little to change Ministers’ view that Mr Parker should leave New River.

Despite having waited days for an update, one Ministerial source told Express they felt that things had moved no further than the crunch meeting on Sunday night. The Chief Minister's position has been complicated by the formal approval by the States Employment Board (SEB) of Mr Parker's role at New River. The SEB is chaired by the Chief Minister, and is officially Mr Parker's employer.

The stalemate poses a major threat to the Chief Minister as he heads towards a vote of no confidence in his leadership brought by Senator Kristina Moore next week.

Express understands that members of the Council of Ministers are considering supporting the motion, frustrated that their instruction was not translated into rapid action.

Senator Le Fondré has already lost one Assistant Minister to the saga: Senator Steve Pallett, who was among the initial signatories to the no-confidence motion.

Pictured: Senator Steve Pallett resigned as Assistant Minister with responsibility for sport and mental health in order to support the vote of no confidence.

Some backbenchers are equally annoyed at the Chief Minister for entering into any kind of ‘discussion’ or ‘negotiation’ regarding his second role.

Airing his exasperation on Twitter on Wednesday evening, Deputy Kirsten Morel said: "There should be no 'talks'. CM is there to deliver a message. Any resolution that doesn't involve CP leaving his NED role will have tremendous consequences for the CM and CoM."

Deputy Jess Perchard told Express this morning: "If the CEO had Jersey’s best interests at heart, he would have immediately resigned from New River when the story broke because of the damage being made to the reputation of the Government. Taking on a such a position during a pandemic was completely tone-deaf. Irrespective of the time commitment, and irrespective of the ‘salary sacrifice’ (does that mean other benefits are given instead of cash?), the CEO should have been aware that the public would be appalled by this timing at a time when the island expects nothing less than his undivided attention.

"The news that the CEO is refusing to resign from the Board is now destabilising Government. This is irresponsible and should not, and will not, be tolerated."

Earlier this week, Senator Le Fondré warned that a leadership challenge would not be wise during the middle of a pandemic and made a veiled swipe at Senator Moore, as he suggested the New River row was being exploited for “political gain.”

When Mr Parker’s second job came to light last week, the Government maintained that it would create no conflicts with the Chief Executive’s work in Jersey.

In fact, it was suggested that the role at New River, whose £1.2bn portfolio primarily consists of retail parks, would actually be beneficial for the island in providing access to research that would help Jersey rebuild in the wake of covid.

It was confirmed that the company had no “operational interests" in Jersey, that Mr Parker’s salary would be going to charity under the terms of a ‘salary sacrifice scheme’, and that the role should take up less than a week of his own free time each year.

However, doubt has since been cast on the latter point, with the company’s annual report noting that board members had been meeting weekly throughout the pandemic.

Express asked the Government for an official update on the ongoing discussions, and is awaiting a reply.

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