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2019.05.21
6 Deputy K.F. Morel of St. Lawrence of the Chief Minister regarding e-mail
correspondence between the Chief Minister and Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade : (OQ.129/2019)
Further to the release of emails, following a Freedom of Information request, will the Chief Minister explain why he expressed concern about the fact that an email from Deputy Tadier , regarding the continuing employment status of an officer could be "subject to an F.O.I. (freedom of information) request" and then suggested that Deputy Tadier "do a new e-mail" but "do not include this, or any other part of that chain, in this e-mail"?
Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré (The Chief Minister):
In relation to the email being subject to an F.O.I. request, I was concerned about the potential harm to the Assistant Minister, but, more importantly, the employee. I was, therefore, reminding the Deputy , in as tactful a way as I could, that all emails are subject to possible F.O.I. requests and that, sometimes, it is better to reflect on the contents of an email before hitting send. In addition, I was suggesting to the Deputy that he issue an immediate apology to the employee and it is my opinion that it should be a clean email, without the email chain being attached, as that felt a better way of apologising, rather than just off the back of the original email that had been transmitted. I would just say, for the avoidance of doubt; I consider the matter now resolved. I look forward to the Deputy resuming his position as an Assistant Minister at the conclusion of this sitting.
[10:15]
4.6.1 Deputy K.F. Morel :
I agree about the need to reflect before sending emails, but my concern is about transparency and to understand whether, in the Chief Minister's mind, was there a desire to avoid transparency in respect of these emails being subject to an F.O.I. request?
Senator J.A.N. Le Fondré:
No, as I said, I thought I was trying to express my view in as tactful a way as possible about reflecting before hitting send.