A group of deputies have even started discussing the possibility of a motion of no confidence in the senior committee if it fails to provide convincing answers to a series of questions about its handling of recent events concerning treasury lead Gavin St Pier.
Garry Collins wrote an open email to P&R at 7.30am yesterday suggesting that all five members should consider standing down, less than 24 hours after Deputy St Pier, who is also the senior committee’s vice-president, announced that he would resign and immediately seek re-election, following his re-arrest on Friday.
Deputy Collins told the Guernsey Press a few hours later that he had already received backing from ‘lots of members’ and had enough support for a motion of no confidence in P&R. He later clarified that he was not about to submit a motion, and would decide how to proceed only after giving the committee time to reply to his questions, which included whether it would back Deputy St Pier in his bid for re-election or invite expressions of interest from all States members.
Deputy St Pier has remained as P&R’s vice-president since his original arrest in December on suspicion of harassment. But some States members’ confidence has been shaken more by his re-arrest, on suspicion of misconduct in public office and an offence under the 1948 Reform Law, following which he was bailed until just before a landmark tax and spending debate which he was expected to lead.
He denies all wrongdoing.
P&R has already lost one member since it was elected in July – Jonathan Le Tocq, who was jailed for a string of sex offences – and some deputies now believe there needs to be a complete reset of the senior committee for the remaining three years of the States term.
However, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez and her members are believed to retain the confidence of a clear majority of the Assembly.
‘I am concerned that all this is affecting the important work on the tax policy workstreams and its delivery, which should be within weeks,’ said Deputy Collins.
‘I am half-minded that the whole of P&R should now step down, giving the Assembly the chance, if it wishes, to reset, or reappoint our senior committee, as we need a unified team to lead us through this next difficult period on tax reforms or perhaps service cuts.
‘I have no axe to grind with anyone. I just want this term to deliver what we all promised – a better government and progress on the island’s future.’
P&R has not yet said whether it will back Deputy St Pier in the election created by his resignation, which is likely to be held at the next States meeting on 20 May.
Deputy Haley Camp said yesterday that she would challenge Deputy St Pier for the vacancy. Other States members, including Deputies Jayne Ozanne, Marc Laine and at least one other, are understood to be interested in the role.
Minutes after Deputy St Pier’s announcement of his resignation and re-election bid, P&R issued a statement in which it said the other members of the committee had already reached the view that he should resign.
‘Why did P&R issue a statement when there was no need?’ said Deputy Collins.
‘They could have just acknowledged his resignation. By saying they were going to ask for his resignation anyway, they were asking a man who claims he is innocent to resign. Have they seen evidence that members haven’t?’
Deputy Collins has also asked P&R whether it would support another member leading the upcoming tax and spending debate and whether that debate may have to be postponed.
Deputy de Sausmarez held talks with Deputy Collins yesterday and promised to reply to his early-morning questions as soon as possible.
‘I called him when I saw that email a little later in the day and explained that the committee will be happy to answer his questions once we’ve had an opportunity to discuss them,’ said Deputy de Sausmarez.
‘He agreed that was reasonable, this being a bank holiday weekend, and the committee having not yet had the opportunity to meet in person.’