Dr Melissa McCullough, the Commissioner for Standards for Guernsey, has resigned with immediate effect, as the fallout over Deputy Gavin St Pier escaping suspension begins to drop.
Dr McCullough’s resignation late yesterday evening cited the Assembly’s decision not to suspend Deputy St Pier despite two independent Commissioners’ recommendations.
She stated the decision undermines the standards system, as it signals an unwillingness to enforce consequences and to ensure accountability.
You can read her statement in full below:
“It is with regret that I resign as Commissioner for Standards for Guernsey with immediate effect.
“I have listened carefully to the debate over the past two days and have observed the media coverage during the many weeks leading up to it. There has been considerable commentary, including continued misrepresentation of key facts. This has been both concerning and disappointing due to the potential for the misleading public commentary and misinformation to have had an inappropriate and undue influence on Deputies.
“For clarity, my investigation focused solely on the conduct of Deputy St Pier as complained about. The complaint concerned the confirmation of unsubstantiated and seriously misleading information to a journalist, information that was sensitive and harmful to the reputation of the complainant and actions which the complainant alleged was furtherance of a vendetta against her. The Appeal Commissioner’s report which contains my full report are publicly available and contain the evidence, analysis, conclusions and recommendations.
“The system as it is, chosen by States Members in 2023, includes that the Commissioner investigates complaints and provides independent recommendations related to whether there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct. Any appeals are heard by an independent Appeals Commissioner who provides a further layer of independence. Ultimately, it is then for Deputies to decide whether they accept the recommended sanctions of two independent commissioners. On this occasion, some Deputies were not prepared to do so. This is the prerogative of the Assembly who represent the electorate.
“However, it is important to understand that when a Deputy is found to be in breach of the Code, as in this case, and where an Assembly decides not to suspend despite two independent Commissioners’ recommendations, this can signal to the public that the Assembly is unwilling to enforce consequences and ensure accountability, that Deputies are prioritising political considerations over standards and that the independent process has limited real-world effect. A Commissioner cannot uphold standards in a system where standards are not seen to be upheld.
“Equally, if after exhausting an independent appeals process and whilst awaiting the public debate on the sanction, a Deputy can campaign publicly and undermine the process and its findings in the media, and face no consequences for undermining the system, it sends a message that others can do the same. This greatly damages the standards system.
“In these circumstances, I cannot in good conscience continue to serve as Commissioner for Standards in Guernsey.
“I would like to thank those who have supported the work of the Office of the Commissioner for Standards and who recognise the importance of maintaining a credible, fair, and independent standards regime.”
Prior to the resignation of Dr McCullough, the MSG also voiced their concerns, with Dr Steve Evans, MSG Chair, expressing extreme disappointment that Deputies did not accept the finding of six breaches by Deputy St Pier.
The MSG states the decision will cause long-term damage to public trust and harm Dr Bohin and safeguarding services.
They urged the public to continue making complaints to help services learn and improve.
The statement is available in full below:
“It is extremely disappointing that Deputies did not accept the independent Commissioner for Standards’ finding that Deputy St Pier committed six breaches of the Code of Conduct when he confirmed information to a journalist that was seriously inaccurate and misleading.
“His long campaign waged against Dr Bohin has caused deep harm to her, to children’s services and to safeguarding processes for the most vulnerable in our community. This case and the decision of the deputies will have long term impact on public trust in the complaints process that spans health and social care services in the Bailiwick. These are well established processes that are first and foremost aimed at ensuring the patient and particularly their safety and wellbeing is at the centre of all we do.
“We continue to urge anyone with concerns to make a complaint to us through established processes so that we can investigate fully and fairly. That is the only way that services can learn and improve for the benefit of all. I can assure all members of the public that there are absolutely no repercussions to making a complaint, only the opportunity to have your voice heard and to help improve services.
“Regardless of today’s decision, we will continue to focus on providing safe, compassionate, high-quality paediatric care for all children in our community. All those in the health and social sector have a professional and moral duty working within regulations that define our code of conduct. The safety and wellbeing of the most vulnerable in our society is and will continue to be at the forefront of our work and processes.”
More to follow…