The States committee that deals with breaches of the States Members’ Code of Conduct has not yet seen the report that recommends Deputy Gavin St Pier be suspended.
States Assembly and Constitution Committee President, Deputy Sarah Hansmann Rouxel faced a series of questions on the matter this morning, as deputies tried to work out who has seen the report in question.
The contents of the report have been leaked to the Guernsey Press. Who leaked it remains a mystery despite the questions posed today.
The report is said to confirm that Deputy St Pier has been found guilty of breaching the States Members Code of Conduct.
However, it appears that no other States Members – including the members of SACC – have yet seen it.
Responding to questions from Deputy Andy Sloan, Deputy Hansmann Rouxel confirmed that her committee has received the report – but she said none of the committee members have actually seen it yet.
She then confirmed that the report remains confidential until it is seen by the committee and published as a policy letter for debate at a future States meeting.
However, deputies – including Neil Inder, Simon Vermuelen, and Liam McKenna – kept pushing for answers around when the report was received and who by.
“The report has been received by the (committee) Secretary, it has not been laid to the committee as yet,” explained Deputy Hansmann Rouxel.
“I fail to see how the confidentiality of the report…the process is that the committee will have the report in committee papers, and as such, I, along with the committee, have not seen the report. We have received the report.”
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez attempted to help by asking Deputy Hansmann Rouxel to confirm the distinction between the report being received by staff and politicians.
“I would agree, replied Deputy Hansmann Rouxel. “And perhaps that is where the distinction is. The political members have not read the report. It has been received by the Office of the Committee and will be prepared in a confidential manner, as such a report should have been remaining confidential.”
Deputy St Pier today said he “remains focused on my key responsibilities” despite facing suspension from the States.
“This matter should not have been made public before the process has concluded,” he said. “It appears to repeat the leak of the Code of Conduct Panel’s report on the same issue in 2023.
“I cannot comment further on the content until such time as the States’ Assembly & Constitution Committee publishes a policy letter on the matter. Whilst I am a member of that committee, obviously I will recuse myself from any deliberations the committee may have on the issues arising.
“Although this has been dragging on for over three years, I am staying focussed on my key responsibilities. I remain concerned, as I have been throughout, that the wellbeing of families and their children who have been failed by our healthcare system are once again marginalised by this repetitious sideshow.”