A Jersey politician is facing a third suspension from the States Assembly in a matter of months after being convicted of a string of immigration offences.
Deputy Philip Ozouf avoided a jail sentence earlier this month after admitting five breaches of the island’s immigration laws relating to the employment of Rwandan nationals at his home and business.
During some of the period of his offending, Deputy Ozouf had served as External Relations Minister.
Now, the Privileges and Procedures Committee, which is responsible for the Members’ Code of Conduct, has proposed a four-week suspension without pay from States business – the maximum punishment available.
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 but pressure has been mounting on the PPC to bring further sanctions.
In the proposition, the PPC state: “The Committee considers that Deputy Ozouf’s actions represent a breach of the Code of Conduct and that the proposed suspension is proportionate in this instance, as the Deputy’s actions and lack of regard for the island’s Laws and judicial process, have damaged the integrity and reputation of the Assembly.”
Rule 6 of the Code of Conduct states that Members must not act in a manner which brings the Assembly into disrepute, while Rule 7 states that Members “must uphold the law in accordance with their oath of office”.
If approved when it is debated during the 10 March sitting, Deputy Ozouf would be banished from the States Chamber and its precincts, while he would also be restricted from “any parliamentary activity”.