Sorry for ill-judged social media posts, says deputy

politicians and members of the public.

He has admitted to using a pseudonym after days of pressure, but said that his comments were taken

out of context and were not trolling.

The Twitter account at the centre of the controversy has now been deleted, but on Wednesday a library of screenshots of its posts were sent to the Guernsey Press.

Many of the posts and comments have been criticised by other politicians as xenophobic and misogynistic.

The account often expressed strong views about what it

meant to be a true Guernsey person.

Deputy Le Tissier issued a statement yesterday to apologise.

‘Many of my comments have been taken out of context, and I do not believe they constituted what is commonly described as trolling,’ he said.

‘However, I admit that it was inappropriate for me to comment on things in such a manner after becoming an elected official.

‘I also acknowledge that people may have been upset by some of my comments.

‘That was not my intention, and I apologise for any offence caused.’

In the statement Deputy Le Tissier explained that the Twitter profile @Radiosutch299 was his personal account for about 10 years.

When he stood for election last year he created a new profile for campaigning purposes, but failed to delete his personal one.

Deputy Le Tissier is a member of the Guernsey Party, which on Wednesday confirmed it was investigating.

He said he took responsibility for his actions and sought to distance the

Guernsey Party from what he had done.

‘Once again, I can only offer my sincere apologies and regret for this uncharacteristic lapse in judgment and for any offence that my actions have caused,’ he

said.

He is a member of Home Affairs, the committee responsible for the island’s population management and immigration policies.

Asked whether he would be investigating the matter, president Rob Prow said he did not believe it would be appropriate to comment on any specific allegations, as they have nothing to do

with him or the work of the committee.

‘As States members we are each responsible and accountable for our own actions and there are appropriate channels in place via the Code of Conduct should anyone wish to formally complain

about any States member,’ he

said.

In December last year Deputy Le Tissier pretended in a post that he was a member of the public listening at home to the States debate, when in fact he was sitting in the Chamber.

Opinion, page 15