Deputies’ conduct could be overseen from UK

The same individual would also be responsible for members of Jersey’s government, and Sark’s and Alderney’s governments could also become involved, said Sacc president Carl Meerveld.

Currently any complaint against a member of the States of Guernsey is considered by the Code of Conduct Panel, while in Jersey this role is filled by the government’s Privileges and Procedures Committee.

When Deputy Chris Le Tissier was sanctioned by the panel last year over his social media activity, there was some unhappiness expressed by deputies over the code of conduct process.

It is hoped that the proposed new commissioner would help to overcome these concerns.

While one person would serve both Bailiwicks, the laws governing each are likely to be different, said Sacc’s report.

Deputy Meerveld said the sort of person appointed to the role would be someone with a judicial background who was not a Channel Islander, in order to ensure impartiality.

This report from Sacc, likely to be considered by the States in June, is one element of an on-going process to review and modernise States’ processes.

‘This is something that’s been on the radar of the States for a considerable amount of time,’ he said.

The move would see the islands moving to implement

best practice from other jurisdictions.

This was a good example of Jersey and Guernsey working together, said Deputy Meerveld, and Sark and Alderney had also expressed an interest in having the commissioner work for them, too.

A retainer will be paid to the successful candidate for the role, who he said would need to be someone who was aware of the culture of the islands and the way that they worked.

‘We’ll probably be looking for a retired judge, probably from the UK, and an individual who has no existing relationship with the island,’ he said.

If the report is approved, a change to the Reform Law will be brought back before the States later in the year.