P&R says Lowe should resign

It comes in the wake of a highly critical governance report into her committee.

Deputy Lowe is refusing to stand down, accusing P&R of an attempt to bully and pressurise her into doing so.

'I will get straight to the point and confirm that I have no intention of so doing,' she said in a letter to the committee.

'This is not as you might seek to imply anything to do with arrogance but rather because the majority of the personal criticisms levelled at me by the report’s author are not backed up by any clear evidence. I can confirm I have spoken to the two remaining members of Home Affairs, Deputy Victoria Oliver and Deputy Marc Leadbeater who have given me their total support to stay as president. Deputy Richard Graham and Deputy Rob Prow as departing members of Home Affairs have also given me their total support to remain.'

She admitted that the committee do not accept many of the criticisms in the governance review.

'We are however not holding ourselves out to be perfect nor denying that there may be room for improvement and it was in that context of humility and conviction that I assured States Members of our intent to deal with the report’s recommendations.'

In their letter to Deputy Lowe, P&R noted she had accepted the recommendations in the review, but said it was an 'unsustainable and incoherent' position to dismiss the contents that led to those.

It was unanimous in asking her to step down and seek a fresh mandate from the States if she desired.

'In the context of your acceptance of the recommendations of the report, for the sake of good governance this would be a real opportunity for a fresh start, with a fresh mandate and the renewed confidence of the Assembly and the community as a whole.'

They do not think a no confidence motion in the entire committee, the other route available to it, would be in the best interests of the States or give confidence to the community.

P&R's letter was written yesterday and Deputy Lowe responded today.