Chief minister ‘doesn’t trust’ Employment and Social Security

He made the comment during debate on an amendment proposed by Deputies Bob Murray and Sam Haskins, which would require all regulations made under the discrimination ordinance to be approved by the full States before coming into effect.

He referred to a quote from former UK government equality adviser Jayne Ozanne in a Guernsey Press interview published yesterday – ‘it is time the white privileged man’s bubble is burst’.

Deputy Ferbrache said the absence of action from ESS on such language was the reason he would be voting in favour of the amendment.

‘What on earth does that mean?’ he said. ‘How intolerant, discriminatory and abusive is that? I haven’t heard Deputy Roffey or any other members of the committee get up and say they abhor that kind of communication.’

Deputy Roffey said it came as a shock to hear Guernsey’s senior politician say he did not trust his committee, and that ESS was not responsible for comments made by people outside of the committee.

‘[Deputy Ferbrache] is supporting getting down in the weeds and discussing these minuscule items before they can be implemented. Just imagine if all the committees that have regulatory powers did that, the whole parliamentary process would become constipated.’

In his opening statement, Deputy Murray said that groups like the Guernsey Disability Alliance could influence ESS when it comes to regulatory processes.

‘He said he didn’t trust the committee to make regulations and lay them to be annulled because he didn’t trust the GDA not to have a pernicious influence,’ Deputy Roffey responded.

‘But the GDA has no role or favoured status with ESS – they are one of a range of consultees.

‘To suggest we are having our strings pulled by groups that Deputy Murray doesn’t like is so far from the truth, I will lay that to rest now.’

Deputies narrowly voted in favour of the amendment by 18 votes to 17.