Chief minister to sue for defamation
CHIEF MINISTER Peter Ferbrache has said he will sue for defamation two people who made Code of Conduct complaints against him.
He made the announcement during the debate that led to the States Assembly agreeing to suspend Deputy Chris Le Tissier for a year without pay.
He said after years in government without facing any formal complaints, he had suddenly faced three within eight months, two of which he described as being lodged by supporters of his predecessor as chief minister and as being politically motivated.
The complaints came after the visit of the British and Irish Lions rugby coach to the island to scope out possible venues for a training camp.
He said the two complainants ‘alleged that I was dishonest in relation to remarks I made in a broadcast concerning the Warren Gatland situation. They were openly and avowedly supporters of Deputy St Pier’.
‘They will in due course receive a summons from me, in the civil courts, for defamation. I just tell that now so they know what’s going to happen.’
Another of Deputy Ferbrache’s predecessors as chief minister gave short shrift to this threat. Deputy Lyndon Trott recalled receiving advice from Deputy Ferbrache during his own stint as the top politician, when he was wondering how to respond to a code of conduct complaint.
‘I wanted to bring a defamation against them and his advice was sage,’ he said. ‘I remember he said “Don’t do it. Have a thicker skin. Show some maturity. Brush it off. You’re chief minister – you need to rise above it.” So I’m now going to bat that advice back to him.’
Deputy Trott said it would be ridiculous for a serving chief minister to sue someone for defamation who had raised a complaint against them. It could damage the reputations of the States and of the island.
‘You need to grow up, Deputy Ferbrache, and leave that alone,’ he said.
