Politicians have voted to suspend a former Minister who drove his BMW at around double the speed limit in a 15mph zone and failed to display valid insurance.

Deputy Philip Ozouf will now be suspended from the States Assembly for 28 days without pay.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee – which is responsible for the code of conduct for States Members – had lodged the proposition arguing that the former Treasury Minister’s behaviour had fallen short of public expectations of States Members.

It comes after the St Saviour representative was fined £575 earlier this year for driving his silver BMW along Les Ruisseaux – where the speed limit is 15mph – at 31mph.

Deputy Ozouf also failed to provide valid motor insurance, and did not attend three parish hall inquiries.

He pleaded guilty to the offences in the Magistrate’s Court in February, and expressed remorse for his actions.

But opening the debate today, PPC chair Deputy Steve Ahier said that Deputy Ozouf had breached codes relating to public duty, personal conduct, the conflict between public and private interest and maintaining the integrity of the States.

We should be listening to the public when they tell us that a Member’s behaviour has left them disappointed and had reduced trust and respect for us all

Deputy Steve Ahier, chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee

He said: “We know from the 2024 Jersey Opinions and Lifestyles Survey that trust in this Assembly is low and so we should be listening to the public when they tell us that a Member’s behaviour has left them disappointed and had reduced trust and respect for us all.”

Deputy Ozouf said that he was “immensely embarrassed” that the Assembly’s time was being taken up by discussion around his behaviour.

He apologised to the Assembly and said it was “up to Members whether or not they think the explanations or mitigations I have given is sufficient or not to deal with the most severe sanction”.

Yesterday evening, Deputy Ozouf gave a statement to Members in which he outlined the difficult personal circumstances he was dealing with at the time of his offending and his diagnosis with ADHD.

Today, several Members spoke to suggest that suspending Deputy Ozouf without pay was disproportionate – particularly given he had already been fined by the Magistrate’s Court.

But others spoke of the need to uphold standards and maintain trust in the Assembly.

Members ultimately voted 29 votes to 17 in favour of the suspension, with three abstentions.

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