William Tate has held the role since June 2019 and said he was prepared to serve eight years – two full terms of office.
‘I understand there is some speculation about whether or not I intend to step down from my role in the near future,’ he said in a statement issued to the Alderney Journal.
‘I have to admit that given recent events I did wonder whether I wanted to continue in the role. After a great deal of reflection, I have concluded that it would be wrong to resign at present.’
In recent weeks Mr Tate, who holds an elected office, has been involved in several disputes with States members.
In June he was accused of showing favouritism and lacking neutrality following a disagreement with Economic Development Committee chairman Stuart Clark when he ruled his questions as being out of order.
The following month he was cleared by the island’s Standards Commissioner of an allegation of bullying Policy & Finance Committee chair Jeannie Cameron following an exchange in a States meeting. Some members said he had been ‘overbearing’ and ‘aggressive’ while others described his actions as ‘firm but appropriate’.
Then later in July he presided over a meeting which was almost entirely taken up by questions, and remarked that States meetings should have more substantive business rather than become a version of ‘Question Time’.
Mr Tate, a retired barrister, moved to the island 30 years ago, and succeeded Stuart Trought as States president.
He said his term in office, which has seen him re-elected twice, had been ‘an incredible journey’.
He has also represented the island more widely, including in Guernsey for the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla in July 2024 and for the visit of Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, to Alderney in December 2025 for the 80th anniversary of Homecoming, and carried out ambassadorial duties at the House of Commons with other parliamentary speakers and civic heads of the Crown Dependencies.
He said that he and wife Gabrielle had been ‘blessed’ to have had many remarkable experiences.
‘But nothing will surpass the privilege of representing this unique community, both at home and further afield. I hope we have fulfilled and hopefully continue to meet the expectation of everybody who put their trust in us seven years ago.’
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