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PERSONAL STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY DEPUTY M.B. ANDREWS OF ST. HELIER NORTH ON TUESDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2023
Having read the Commissioner for Standards report and having attended a meeting with the Privileges and Procedures Committee on 25th August 2023; I have taken the time to reflect upon the findings of the Commissioner for Standards investigation into the two complaints Deputy Scott lodged against me.
Having acknowledged the full severity of the findings I believe it is appropriate for me to apologise to fellow States Members for bringing the States Assembly into disrepute. As much as the situation became untenable, I happened to be reactionary to the situation that unfolded once the counter complaint had been lodged against me which has culminated in a series of personal errors which upon careful reflection has been something I have genuinely regretted and learnt from.
Breaching the code of conduct
I must apologise to States Members and Deputy Scott for my use of language on Liberation Day which was totally unacceptable. In addition to this, I disclosed details of a live complaint to third parties. As a result, I breached both paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Code of Conduct. I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I wholeheartedly apologise to States Members and Deputy Scott and I hope Members will forgive me for my actions.
I also need to apologise for the way I communicated both online and to other Members regarding Deputy Scott . Such behaviour is in breach of paragraph 5 of the Code of Conduct. As the Commissioner for Standards postulates in her report such actions "bring the States, or its Members generally, into disrepute". Since discussing the use of social media with the Privileges and Procedures Committee I will endeavour to use social media as a platform to communicate positively and effectively about the work I do in the States Assembly. As the Commissioner for Standards states: "If Deputy Andrews has nothing nice to say about Deputy Scott , then he shouldn't say it". The Commissioner for Standards is correct; such communications bring the States Assembly into disrepute. This is something I have taken on board, and I will make the necessary changes to ensure such actions don't happen again.
On 23rd August 2023 I sent Deputy Scott an email regarding private and sensitive contents which I had previously sent to the Commissioner for Standards which involved Members, officers and members of the public. This is evidently a significant breach of paragraphs 3, 5 and 8 of the Code of Conduct for States Members. This was totally unacceptable, and I wholeheartedly want to apologise to Deputy Scott and to States Members for my actions. I am fully aware of the significance of breaching the Code of Conduct and this is something I will certainly learn from.
Mental Wellbeing
I have been struggling with my mental wellbeing and this was something I spoke to the Privileges and Procedures Committee about during the meeting that took place on 25th August 2023. During the meeting I explained to the Privileges and Procedures Committee how I needed help because I was struggling with my mental wellbeing. In response to this, the States' Greffier and the Privileges and Procedures Committee have provided counselling sessions for me. I have also made an appointment to see a psychiatrist because inevitably this situation has been too much for me to handle. I have also taken steps forward by attending sessions at the Listening Lounge and Mind Jersey too. It cannot be underestimated how the stress and pressure has been insurmountable and this has impacted upon me greatly. I am pleased to see action has now been taken to assist States Members with the provision of counselling. This was a much-needed resource that I needed over this extended period of time which was not available until now.