Guernsey’s disgraced former Chief Minister’s paid employment at a local community church ended in September, it has been confirmed.
Church groups formally affiliated with Jonathan Le Tocq released statements condemning his actions shortly after his guilty plea last week.
In August, when Le Tocq was taken into custody following his arrest, The Rock Community Church stated that his employment was “under review”.
This paid work was funded through a grant from an organisation called New Ground.
Guernsey’s former Chief Minister appeared in court last Thursday to face 15 charges relating to making and distributing indecent images of children, the possession of “extreme pornography”, and breaking telecoms laws by using a variety of X accounts in other people’s names.
In a statement issued shortly after Le Tocq pleaded guilty, New Ground described the admitted offences as “profoundly shocking and deeply distressing”.
The Rock Community Church said its community was “profoundly shocked and horrified” by his offences, adding they represented “a devastating betrayal of trust”.
You can read those statements in full below.
New Ground stated their thoughts and prayers are “specifically with the victims and those who have been harmed and impacted”, as well as anyone else in shock or pain as a result of the revelations.
A spokesperson later confirmed that the paid position ceased in September, saying: “Our grant funding to The Rock Community Church for Jonathan’s employment ceased when his employment ended in September.”
This was echoed by a spokesperson for the local church, who said that September was the earliest they were able to take action.
“Following Jonathan’s arrest, The Rock Community Church immediately took legal advice about his employment. We terminated his contract and salary in September, which was as soon as we were able to in line with that advice,” the statement read.
The New Ground spokesperson also tackled the impact on church communities in Guernsey and abroad.
They said: “Safeguarding is a core priority for us. We continue to be in active communication with the local leadership team at The Rock Community Church as well as the relevant leaders in France.
“We have not received any information to suggest that Jonathan’s criminal behaviour extended into our church contexts, but should any concerns come to light, they would be handled in line with statutory safeguarding requirements and legal procedures.”
Earlier this week, it was also confirmed that Le Tocq had resigned from the States.
Express understands that he wrote to the Bailiff last Thursday – the same day he pleaded guilty to numerous criminal offences including making and distributing indecent images of children.
Guernsey’s Bailiff’s Chambers confirmed his intention to resign today, saying that the official process means the States will be asked to “accept the resignation of Deputy Jonathan Paul Le Tocq” when they meet next week.
Le Tocq effectively remains a Deputy until then, despite being remanded at Les Nicolles Prison since August.
Le Tocq is due to be sentenced on 26 January in Guernsey’s Royal Court.
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