There was confusion in the States Assembly this morning over whether Deputy Philip Ozouf – who was sentenced to 120 hours of community service last month for breaking the island’s Immigration Law – is being paid.

Today, States Members agreed to suspend Deputy Ozouf for 28 days without pay in response to the criminal offences – the maximum sanction available for breaches of the code of conduct for elected officials.

However, beforehand there was uncertainty over whether Deputy Ozouf had been paid before that.

Deputy Kristina Moore, a friend and political ally of the St Saviour representative, told the Assembly that Deputy Ozouf had not received a salary since his sentencing on 5 February.

However, after the Greffier of the Assembly had stood to speak in his ear, Bailiff Robert MacRae noted: “I hesitate to correct a factual matter that has been raised by a Member: although it may have been the wish of the Deputy not to receive a salary for the recent period, he has continued to be paid – notwithstanding that may be in his wish.”

The confusion was settled moments later when States Members voted to suspend Deputy Ozouf without pay, which was approved by 34 votes for, to five against, with six abstentions.

Deputy Ozouf was unwell, so not in the Assembly today. An earlier proposal by Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache to delay the debate until the St Saviour representative was present was defeated 11 votes to 35.

Deputy Ozouf has already served a four-week suspension without pay after admitting driving offences in the Magistrate’s Court, for which he was fined £575.

He was suspended for a second time, this time with full pay, as a ‘neutral act’ pending the conclusion of the most recent criminal case against him.

After his Royal Court sentencing at the start of February, the St Saviour Deputy’s suspension from the States Assembly was automatically lifted.

Who didn’t support the suspension?

Five politicians voted against the suspension: St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft and Deputies Carolyn Labey, Rose Binet, Tom Binet and Bailhache.

Six States Members abstained: Constable Philip Le Sueur and Deputies Kristina Moore, Ian Gorst, David Warr, Moz Scott and Karen Wilson.

Three did not vote: Constables Marcus Troy, Kevin Lewis and Richard Vibert.