Should a complaint now be made, it will be held until a new commissioner is appointed, said States Assembly & Constitution Committee president Sarah Hansmann Rouxel.
Dr McCullough’s letter announcing that she was stepping down with immediate effect was sent to SACC soon after the States voted to ignore the commissioner’s recommendation and to not suspend Gavin St Pier following a complaint about his conduct.
Dr McCullough said she had followed the debate and media reports, and claimed that the ‘considerable commentary’ had included 'continued misrepresentation of key facts’.
‘This has been both concerning and disappointing due to the potential for the misleading public commentary and misinformation to have had an inappropriate and undue influence on deputies.’
Deputy St Pier had admitted talking to a UK journalist and confirming information about several families’ concerns put to him by the reporter. This information was ‘sensitive and harmful to the reputation of the complainant and actions which the complainant alleged was furtherance of a vendetta against her,’ said Dr McCullough.
She was appointed pan-island commissioner for standards in 2023 and more recently Alderney States approved her appointment as commissioner for that island. She will continue to serve Alderney.
Dr McCullough accepted that it was the States’ prerogative to not accept her recommendations but in this case it had also rejected the view of the appeals commissioner, who had backed her findings.
‘This can signal to the public that the Assembly is unwilling to enforce consequences and ensure accountability, that deputies are prioritising political considerations over standards, and that the independent process has limited real-world effect.
‘A commissioner cannot uphold standards in a system where standards are not seen to be upheld.’
She was also critical of the fact that a deputy could campaign publicly and undermine the process and the findings in the media ahead of a States debate but face no consequences.
‘This sends a message that others can do the same.
‘This greatly damages the standards system.
‘In these circumstances, I cannot in good conscience continue to serve as commissioner for standards in Guernsey.’
She thanked those who had supported the work of her office ‘and who recognise the importance of maintaining a credible, fair, and independent standards regime’.
Deputy Hansmann Rouxel said that the absence of a commissioner would have no impact on the code of conduct.
‘It remains fully in force, and all members of the States remain bound by it,’ she said.
‘Should a complaint be submitted at this time, it will be formally acknowledged and held pending the appointment of a new commissioner for standards.
‘The process resumes as normal once that appointment is made.’
She added that SACC would meet ‘as soon as practicable’ in order to consider the next move towards the appointment of a new commissioner.
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