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PERSONAL STATEMENT The Bailiff :
We must come now to Personal Statements and I have notice and have given leave to Deputy Power to make a Personal Statement.
5. Deputy S. Power:
Thank you, Sir. I would like to make a brief statement about the legal matters in France which have involved me personally since I was elected to this Assembly last year. Under procedures very different to those adopted in this jurisdiction, it had been possible for judgements to be given against me by a French Court, without my knowledge and in my absence, on the basis that it would subsequently be open to me to appeal if I wished. I take this opportunity to reaffirm there that there was no substance whatsoever to any allegation of impropriety against me. Consequently, I did lodge an appeal and on 30th March 2006 I attended a hearing in Nantes with my legal representative. On 20th April 2006 the 3 judges of the Appel Correctionel delivered a unanimous judgement in which they rejected all the allegations against me, formally dismissed the charges and quashed the previous judgements against me. Having been fully exonerated in this way I do not intend to say anything further about the matter except to express my thanks to this Assembly for its support and to add that I have greatly valued the kindness and confidence of colleagues and parishioners in St. Brelade for what has been a difficult time for me personally. Thank you, Sir.