A politician who pleaded guilty to a series of offences under Jersey’s Immigration Act has been suspended from the island’s States Assembly with immediate effect.
Jersey’s Privileges and Procedures Committee – which is responsible for the code of conduct for its island’s States Members – lodged a proposition to suspend Deputy Philip Ozouf until his pending court case is concluded.
Jersey’s States Assembly yesterday voted to approve the proposition with 31 votes for, eight votes against, and six abstentions.
It comes after Deputy Ozouf appeared in the island’s Royal Court earlier this month and pleaded guilty to five charges relating to the employment of Rwandan nationals, in breach of restrictions about the nature of work they were permitted to carry out in Jersey.
The St Saviour Deputy is now suspended from attending and participating in meetings of the Assembly, but will be able to continue to serve his constituents and will be paid.
Deputy Ozouf recently returned to the States Assembly following a separate 28-day suspension for motoring offences.
The former External Relations Minister is awaiting a sentencing date as his co-accused, Roberto Lora, is due to face trial in the Royal Court from 26 January.