Alex Snowdon had submitted a series of questions to the chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Stuart Clark, at last week’s meeting.
These ranged from how to improve ferry links to the best location for a proposed new ‘Alderney Technology Hub’. But, in a move thought to be unprecedented in Channel Islands politics, Mr Clark left the Chamber before those questions could be put to him.
Explaining his actions, the EDC chairman said he had left the meeting because he strongly disagreed with a ruling from States president William Tate that a separate series of questions, which he in turn had wanted to put to Mr Snowdon, were ineligible.
These questioned Mr Snowdon’s views on a range of matters, including political stability, good governance and public confidence.
The two men have disagreed strongly recently on issues as diverse as an investigation into locating a data centre in Alderney to proposals to reduce the size of the Alderney States to eight members.
The disallowed questions were also placed in the light of a recent finding by the Channel Islands Commissioner for Standards concerning a complaint about Mr Snowdon brought by Mr Clark. That ruling criticised some of Mr Snowdon’s actions but dismissed the main complaints made against him.
The commissioner suggested that an apology should be offered to Mr Clark, but Mr Snowdon has refused to accept her findings in this respect and refused to apologise.
Mr Clark said the reason for his departure from the debating chamber was simple.
‘I left before the questions section because I did not feel I could lend legitimacy to that part of the proceedings once, in my view, reasonable questions on matters of public accountability had been ruled out.’
Mr Snowdon declined to comment.
Mr Tate was approached for comment.
Hansard extract of the Alderney States meeting on 29 May
Greffier: The next item is item six – questions and reports, the first of which is from Mr Snowdon to the chair of the Policy and Finance Committee.
Mr Clark: Mr President, since my properly submitted questions to an Alderney representative in the States of Guernsey have been ruled inadmissible…
Mr Tate: Can we just hang on please, we will get to your questions…
Mr Clark: I cannot take part in this section of proceedings. I will not lend legitimacy to a process in which legitimate scrutiny is, in my view, being selectively prevented.
Mr Clark leaves the Chamber.