Newly elected Deputy Rob Curgenven has failed to win a seat on the Committee for Home Affairs after a campaign to block his progress was launched over the weekend.
Concerns were raised by some States Members and members of the public after it was confirmed that the Home Affairs President would be nominating Deputy Curgenven to serve on his committee.
Deputy Neil Inder used Facebook to publicly share his concerns on Sunday before deleting the posts.
He said that he had emailed all other deputies to encourage them against voting for Deputy Curgenven when the committee elections were held today.
Deputy Inder also said that he would consider raising a Motion of No Confidence in HA President, Deputy Marc Leadbeater if he were successful in having Deputy Curgenven appointed to his committee.
Express was cc’d in to other emails concerning the same matter.
Deputy Curgenven has been a vocal critic of Bailiwick Law Enforcement over recent years, having himself been arrested – but never charged with any offence.
Since then he has acted as a campaigner for other people facing injustice or feeling they have been a victim of injustice.
Nominating Deputy Curgenven for a seat on his committee, Deputy Leadbeater said he had already been supporting people in “constituency work” before he joined the States.
Deputy Curgenven referenced this work himself in his maiden speech to the States.
“As many of you know, I’ve dedicated the past four years to supporting some of our most vulnerable residents who face barriers within our justice system, supported and continue to support survivors of rape who felt abandoned, individuals subject to miscarriages of justice, and vulnerable people subjected to mistreatment. Let me be clear, I’m not anti anything, apart from a lack of openness, transparency and, most importantly, accountability.
“Like many of you in this chamber, before experiencing it personally, I had great confidence in our justice system. It is difficult to comprehend the extent of injustice unless you have experienced it firsthand. But I stand here not as a victim. I stand here as a reformer with a clear vision for change. I firmly believe that there is great potential for meaningful change.
“I have been and continue to be a very vocal supporter of our new Chief Officer of Police, with whom I share a strong and productive working relationship. This progress is not superficial.
“Today, an ex-serving police officer is, I believe, before the Magistrates Court facing criminal prosecution. Accountability is returning. Yet there remains much to be done. Our Police Complaints Law was admitted on the last assembly to be not clear for purpose. Victims of crime still feel unsupported, our outdated appeals legislation, over 120 years old, means convictions can be overturned on the technicality, but not because the person is, in fact, innocent.
“I ask you to vote for me today so we can build a fairer, more transparent and truly effective justice system that restores public trust in our institutions together.”
Ultimately, his political peers prevented Deputy Curgenven from winning a seat on Home Affairs.
The only contested election so far today saw Alderney Representative Alex Snowdon and Deputies Curgenven, Munazza Malik, and John Gollop nominated by the HA President.
Deputy Gavin St Pier second Alderney Representative Snowdon, while Mr Snowdon then seconding the other nominations made by Deputy Leadbeater.
Deputy Jayne Ozanne nominated former HA Vice President, Deputy Simon Vermeulen for the committee too. He was seconded by Deputy Adrian Gabriel.
Voting via secret ballot, States members gave Alderney Representative Snowdon 34 votes, Deputy Curgenven 19 votes, Deputy Malik 34 votes, Deputy Gollop 26 votes, and Deputy Vermuelen 21 votes – ensuring Deputy Vermeulen was elected over Deputy Curgenven.