Lack of backing for St Pier re-election bid

Five deputies said they would support Deputy Gavin St Pier's bid to rejoin Policy and Resources (P&R), after he announced on Saturday he would resign from the post and re-stand for the role.

The announcement followed his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office and offences related to the reform law. He denies all wrongdoing.

The BBC contacted all 35 States of Guernsey members who do not sit on P&R to ask whether they would support St Pier's re-election bid - 12 said they would not back him, while 16 said they were undecided. Two have not answered the question.

P&R said St Pier would not be its preferred candidate for the election, which could take place on 20 May.

Despite not being picked as P&R's preferred candidate St Pier said he would still stand for the seat.

In a statement after a meeting on Tuesday, P&R President Lindsay de Sausmarez said: "Further to Deputy St Pier's decision to resign from P&R, the other four members will shortly invite expressions of interest from any States member who wishes to be considered as the committee's preferred candidate."

Deputies Haley Camp, David Goy, Jayne Ozanne, Marc Lainé and Simon Vermeulen have all expressed an interest in the vacancy.

The election will be conducted by States members via a secret ballot.

St Pier's colleagues on Forward Guernsey, Deputies Rhona Humphreys and Tom Rylatt backed his decision to stand down and seek a fresh mandate.

Guernsey's longest-serving politician Deputy John Gollop declared he was against St Pier's decision to re-stand for the role on P&R: "I would prefer Deputy Gavin St Pier withdrew his resignation at this time.

"The problem for me is turning an appointment into a vote of confidence on non-political issues."

Alderney Representative Edward Hill said as an Alderney rep it was not appropriate for him to get involved.

Environment and Infrastructure President Adrian Gabriel said: "The scenario is not ideal is it, and my first instance is to protect the Guernsey brand while not detracting from the strain it is putting on Deputy St Pier and his family.

"I won't be standing for other roles, and will vote for the best person for the job on P&R when that election comes along."

States Assembly and Constitution Committee President Sarah Hansmann-Rouxel said: "Quite frankly, I am increasingly frustrated by the amount of political oxygen currently being consumed by speculation, manoeuvring and media frenzy when the assembly has significant and serious work in front of it.

"Islanders elected us to govern and deliver, not to spend weeks disappearing into political theatre and rolling commentary on personalities and hypotheticals.

"My focus remains on getting on with the job and addressing the very real challenges facing the island.

"I do not intend to contribute further to the current cycle of speculation."

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