Conduct panel’s report findings ‘spot on’
OTHER deputies are hiding behind pseudonyms on social media, one of the complainants against Deputy Chris Le Tissier has warned.
Charity campaigner Sarah Griffith MBE was one of seven people to submit code of conduct complaints against Deputy le Tissier.
She felt the findings of the panel’s report were spot on.
‘I strongly believe that States members should not be allowed to use pseudonyms,’ she said.
‘Deputy Le Tissier acknowledged that had he been using his own name, he would not have said some of these things.’
She told the panel she thought he should be sacked for his conduct.
‘We should expect public servants to act with dignity and transparency,’ she said.
She added that Deputy Le Tissier was not alone in using false names on social media, noting that she knew of at least two other serving deputies who were posting online under false names. She was very concerned about the issue.
Architect Andrew Ozanne OBE has previously served as a non-voting member of the Home Department – the predecessor of the Home Affairs committee, which Deputy Le Tissier sits on. Mr Ozanne has never submitted a code of complaint before, but felt strongly that he could not let this incident pass, particularly as Deputy Le Tissier is on Home Affairs.
‘If a police officer had done something like this and it came before the committee, I think he would be dismissed,’ he said.
‘It’s a matter of integrity and honesty when serving as a deputy. I think the electorate should be expected to trust you.’
He said Deputy Le Tissier’s behaviour was inexcusable and also noted that the language used was also not appropriate for a States deputy.
‘He did it because he thought he could remain anonymous,’ Mr Ozanne said.
Occupation historian Dr Gilly Carr was the subject of some of Deputy Le Tissier’s comments and submitted a code of conduct complaint.
‘I think this is the right decision,’ she said.
‘I think if this had happened in the UK, he would have been asked to resign immediately.’
Complaints were also made by Nigel de la Rue, Jenny Tasker, John Roche and Grace Ruddy. Deputy Le Tissier also referred himself to the conduct panel for investigation.
