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Call for review of States member reprimands

A Jersey deputy is asking the States Assembly to agree to a review of the rules on how politicians are disciplined.

Deputy Raluca Kovacs wants the Privileges and Procedures Committee, which is responsible for parliamentary rules, to look at how breaches of the members' Code of Conduct are dealt with.

It follows the recent suspension of Deputy Philip Ozouf, and a pending second sanction for the St Saviour representative, which us due to be debated this month.

Deputy Kovacs says the current means of addressing misconduct is too limited.

She told Channel 103:

"I think it is time to modernise, in all aspects, how we hold ourselves to account.

"Our standards must reflect the trust the public places in us."

 Deputy Raluca Kovacs

She says the review should consider the mechanisms for disqualifying politicians, the lengths of any suspensions, and whether they are paid their salary during their exclusion.

"Recent events have highlighted the importance of re-examining sanctions to ensure that the sanctions framework is fair, flexible and proportionate for minor and serious breaches.

"The aim is to establish a framework to include a better definition in relation to the nature of a breach, to determine whether it is minor or serious, and to consider recall mechanisms and graduated suspension options (paid and unpaid)."

If States members support the proposition, PPC will have to report back by 31 December 2026 with findings and recommendations.

Deputy Ozouf was suspended for 28 days following his conviction for motoring offences earlier this year.  PPC has lodged a proposition seeking a second sanction after the Deputy admitted immigration offences  for which he is awaiting sentencing.

PPC will ask that he be suspended from the States Assembly until after the conclusion of the court case.

 

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