It feels appropriate that while it tries to take on an interim commissioner for standards, the States Assembly & Constitution Committee is also reviewing the code of conduct system.
It’s unlikely to do it, but it feels a little as though it should be chucking the whole lot in the bin.
States business went on for a long time before anybody thought there was a need for a code of conduct and to set standards for public life. And when we hear about deputies rushing to report their colleagues for the use of the word ‘prick’ in an email, subsequently apologised for, the whole thing feels rather disappointing.
Sure it’s inappropriate, but worthy of a full and proper investigation, funded by the taxpayer, which ultimately resulted in no sanction? What’s the point?
Such incidents, and the resignation of the commissioner after the States failed to uphold her recommended sanction against Deputy Gavin St Pier, do raise questions about whether the system is working.
Though several deputies wanted to uphold the sanction and support the code and the commissioner, plenty felt that the investigation and its conclusions were questionable. So the departure feels the best thing all round.
But Sacc needs to do that review quickly and thoroughly. A fresh eye is needed to keep the system ‘clear, robust and commanding public confidence’.
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