Sark conseiller is threatened with suspension

In a statement at the first full meeting of Chief Pleas since the election, Speaker Paul Armorgie said that immediately after the general election he had been verbally abused by Conseiller-elect Frank Makepeace, an incident that was witnessed by the island’s senior executive officer, Michael Bertram.

‘Conseiller-elect Makepeace used rude and obnoxious language while making wild and quite frankly paranoid and entirely unfounded allegations against me regarding the conduct of the general election,’ he said.

‘I want to state unequivocally that such behaviour is bullying and is entirely unacceptable. It will not be tolerated under any circumstances in Chief Pleas.’

Mr Armorgie said he had taken advice from Guernsey and had the option to make a code of conduct complaint and to suspend Mr Makepeace.

‘This is a course of action I will take if the behaviour is repeated,’ he said after the meeting.

‘It is deeply regretful as it detracts from the business of Chief Pleas, but I felt it was important to show that for the benefit of new conseillers that this behaviour is not tolerated.’

Mr Makepeace was re-elected in the Sark General Election in December, but had yet to be sworn in for the new assembly as he was currently off island on holiday and was not present at the meeting.

In a letter to Mr Armorgie, seen by the Guernsey Press, Mr Makepeace said that he categorically denied the allegations and wished to express his concerns regarding the manner in which this matter has been addressed.

‘Your public statement during Chief Pleas not only denies me the presumption of innocence but also fails to offer me an opportunity to respond in the same forum,’ he wrote.

‘The absence of evidence, combined with the lack of a right of reply, undermines the principles of fairness, transparency, and due process that should guide the actions of this assembly.

‘I would like to reiterate my commitment to serving the people of Sark with integrity and professionalism. I sincerely hope that we can resolve this matter in a manner that reflects the values of fairness and respect that Chief Pleas should embody.’