Jersey’s Chief Minister was grilled this morning over whether he still has confidence in a previous – and possibly future – Minister who provided a character reference for disgraced former Guernsey politician Jonathan Le Tocq.
The issue was raised while Senator Lyndon Farnham was being questioned by Jersey’s newly-elected States Members before he was formally appointed Chief Minister for a second term – and just over a week before he is due to unveil his preferred ministerial slate, with Senator Ian Gorst widely tipped to continue in his outward-facing role of External Relations Minister.
In January, Express revealed that the then-Deputy Gorst was one of five people who provided a character reference for Le Tocq, during court proceedings earlier this year where he was jailed after admitting a series of offences including creating pseudo-indecent images of women and children.
Deputy Gorst said that he was asked to write the reference, given that he had been a “counterpart in the Guernsey government”, and that he was “appalled” by the “heinous” offending.
This morning, Deputy Montfort Tadier challenged Senator Farnham over whether this had been discussed with him in advance.
Responding, Senator Farnham said: “No, sir, he didn’t discuss it with me in advance, and I’m not aware of the timeline or the rationale behind that.”
He added: “That would have to be a question for Deputy Gorst, but I think that was reported in the media, and I can say no more on it than that.”
Deputy Tadier said that, when appointing ministers, Islanders would want to know that those chosen for senior office and responsible for “represent[ing] Jersey around the world, and indeed closer to home” demonstrated “sound political judgement”.
Referring to Le Tocq’s victims, he asked whether Senator Farnham would ensure that those appointed to ministerial office exercised good judgement and prioritised support for victims of abuse.
Senator Farnham replied: “Absolutely, sir. I think judgement is a prerequisite for all of us.”
He continued: “I will certainly be assuring myself that the nominations for ministers, and that goes for any member of this Assembly, whatever they stand for, has the ability to exercise good judgement, sir.”