Apology does not go far enough

Yesterday, backed into a corner with no way out, Deputy Chris Le Tissier finally admitted that he was behind a twitter account that had been used to criticise fellow politicians and the public.

He hid behind a pseudonym to make crass remarks, and while apologising for doing so, his contrition went only so far.

It will not be enough for many and the tweets appear squarely at odds with the values outlined in the States members’ code of conduct.

That will come into play only if a formal complaint is made by someone, a shortfall in the system when there should be the mechanism for independent proactive action.

His comments about being ‘local’ sit very uncomfortably with his role on Home Affairs, a committee that needs to think harder about whether they are views that undermine its work and the trust of the public.

The Guernsey Party, of which he is a member, is also investigating what, if any, action to take.

There is no suggestion they are directly involved in his activity, but whether they stand by him or not is the toughest test they have faced since the election.

This is a party that only days ago complained of social media trolling by critics as justification for limiting who can see what they say on twitter.

Deputy Le Tissier has undermined this States’ outward projection of harmony and working together.

Social media can be a bear pit. It is unacceptable for a deputy to be adding to the provocation while hiding in the shadows, even tweeting posing as a member of the public during a States debate.

He has been challenged about the contents of this twitter account before this week, yet it is only now that he has seen fit to make any public remarks on the matter.

What unfolds will speak volumes about the values not only of Deputy Le Tissier, but of this party and the Assembly as a whole.