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STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PRIVILEGES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE ON
1ST DECEMBER 2005
Members of the Privileges and Procedures Committee have received a number of letters and phone calls from members of the States and members of the public complaining about the conduct of Deputy Southern on the evening of the Deputies' elections when he was clearly inebriated. Several of these complaints have called for the Deputy to resign from the States.
In normal circumstances the Committee would have given consideration to initiating a full investigation. Indeed, some members of the Committee were adamant that this should happen. However the Committee is conscious that it is only now in office for a matter of days and there is simply not time to implement and conclude the required procedure, which is necessary despite the apparent "open and shut" nature of the case.
The Committee is nevertheless reluctant to defer this matter until a new Committee assumes office and has therefore met on 3 occasions this week to discuss this issue. The Committee shares the outrage expressed in some of the letters of complaint received about the behaviour of Deputy Southern . It is clear that Deputy Southern has broken the Code of Conduct for members, which will come into full effect next week. I would draw members' attention to the relevant paragraphs of the Code which state –
" E le c ted members should at all times conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of the States of Jersey and shall endeavour, in the course of their public and private conduct, not to act in a manner which would bring the States, or its members generally, into disrepute.
Elected members should at all times treat other members of the States, officers and members of the public with respect and courtesy and without malice, notwithstanding the disagreements on issues and policy which are a normal part of the political process".
The Committee has no doubt that Deputy Southern 's behaviour on 23rd November fell far short of the standard referred to in the Code. In particular his use of extremely offensive language addressed to Senator Ozouf was quite unacceptable.
The Committee notes that Deputy Southern has made a public apology on Channel Television and in this Assembly. I am also aware that he has made a private apology to Senator Ozouf for his conduct but the strong view of the PPC is that a full public apology should now be made by Deputy Southern to Senator Ozouf . If that is not forthcoming the present Committee strongly recommends that the new PPC initiates the full investigation procedure into this matter to ascertain if further action is appropriate.
I am sure all members, including in particular Deputy Southern , will agree that it is essential for the reputation of this Assembly that members' conduct is at all times above reproach. Insulting and offensive behaviour is totally unacceptable, is a clear breach of the Code of Conduct and does nothing to enhance the standing of the States in the public's eye.