Deputy Gavin St Pier says more people disclose safeguarding concerns to him every time he is in the news for any related issue – with 27 families and practitioners now involved.
He and his family have been at the centre of revelations around safeguarding concerns since he raised the issues in the States more than three years ago, using parliamentary privilege to name a doctor.
Deputy St Pier says every time he faces a complaint about his conduct in connection with his original concerns over safeguarding, more people come forward to share their concerns.
Since the latest code of conduct complaint was publicised via a media leak in September, more people have come forward, he said.
“This is the latest chapter in an unpleasant and difficult story, which has been running for over four years, following my decision in April 2022 to use parliamentary privilege in the States of Deliberation to identify Dr Sandie Bohin as the Named Doctor for Safeguarding,” he explained.
“Since then, with each fresh complaint against me and each round of media publicity, more constituents have come to me with their own experiences of poor behaviours or clinical care, primarily but not exclusively, in the paediatric area. In addition to the three families that approached me before April 2022, can now be added 23 families and practitioners, bringing the total to 27 – the most recent family approaching me only four weeks ago.
“Advocating to try and give voice to serious concerns expressed to me by the public has been extremely stressful – and has cost me and my family dearly. However, representing families damaged, neglected or ignored by the system is one of the most important and trusted elements of the role for which I have been elected – and one that I take extremely seriously.
“The simple facts of this case are that I verbally confirmed facts to a journalist; and for that, the proposed consequences are extraordinary and dystopian. If the States endorse this recommendation to suspend me, they will be setting a very dangerous precedent for Deputies, and for the fundamental role we play in seeking accountability and challenging vested interests.
“In short, the use of the States’ Code of Conduct to prevent elected representatives from speaking to the media about public interest issues undermines democracy.”
It was revealed last month that Deputy St Pier has been found guilty of breaching the States Members Code of Conduct.
The complaint was lodged in January, following an interview Deputy St Pier gave to a national newspaper which was connected to past events involving his family and others where safeguarding concerns had been raised. Express understands that national news article has not yet been published.
The complainant said Deputy St Pier had breached five sections of the States’ Members’ Code of Conduct in that interview, with a 30-day suspension initially recommended by the Standards Commissioner when she found against him.
The deputy appealed and partially won with the recommended suspension reduced to 25 days.
It’s likely that the States will vote on the suspension before Christmas.