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APPOINTMENT OF MINISTERS, COMMITTEES AND PANELS
- Senator F.H. Walker (The Chief Minister):
I rise to inform the Assembly that I have received a letter of resignation from Senator Kinnard from her position as Minister for Home Affairs. I am informing the Assembly as required by the States of Jersey Law 2005; however, I should also inform the Assembly that, under the Law, the Minister will remain the Minister for the remaining term of office until such time as the States selects another person to replace her. I therefore intend – although I could do it today, out of courtesy to Members I do not intend to do so – to ask the Assembly tomorrow to appoint another Member to become Minister for Home Affairs for the remainder of this term of office and I think it is only fair at this stage to inform Members that I intend to nominate Deputy Andrew Lewis of St. John , who of course has been the Assistant Minister for Home Affairs for the last near 3 years, to become the next Minister. Other States Members will of course be able to make alternative nominations and if there is an alternative the States will follow the normal appointments process. The process is that each candidate speaks for up to 10 minutes and is questioned for up to 20 minutes. A ballot is then held, with successive ballots if necessary if there are more than 2 candidates. I should inform the Assembly that I am deeply saddened by Senator Kinnard's resignation.
PERSONAL STATEMENT The Deputy Bailiff :
Senator Kinnard had asked me for leave to make a personal statement about her resignation and I have granted that leave. Would Members agree that it would convenient to take it now rather than at the proper time? Yes, Senator Kinnard.
- Senator W. Kinnard (The Minister for Home Affairs):
Thank you. I wish to make a personal statement relating to an issue of moral conscience and principle. At a recent meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Council of Ministers had a recommendation from my department to take forward immediately an item of importance. The Council of Ministers declined to accept that recommendation from my department. I consider it a matter of personal moral conscience and principle, while recognising Council of Ministers' right to take a different view. The matter that I had wished to take forward was an amendment abolishing the need for judges to always give a warning of the danger of convicting without corroboration in cases involving accomplices, sexual offences and offences involving children. I must regret that I am resigning as a Minister so close to the end of my term but in so doing I should like to express my gratitude to Deputy Andrew Lewis , my Assistant Manager, for his excellent assistance for the past 3 years. I am also only really sorry that he too will be leaving the States. May I also give my thanks to all my Chief Officers of the various departments and particularly to my Chief Officer of Home Affairs and the first rate staff at Piquet House who have given me so much support over the years and continue to do so. I thank, too, all the men and women of the Home Affairs family of departments who have worked with exceptional dedication and commitment to public service achieving executive results. An organisation is its people and I know that they will give similar support to whoever is my successor and I wish them all well. Thank you.
2.1 Senator F.H. Walker (The Chief Minister):
Sir, I am asking your permission for something if I may. I may wish to make another statement in relation to Senator Kinnard's resignation and I would ask you leave to be able to do so at some time later in the sitting, if that is possible.