Prof Patrick McNutt is consulting lawyers and has demanded that Deputy Voisin’s comments be withdrawn.

He also wants the contents of an eight-page letter he sent to the Deputy in May to be sent out to States Members.

Prof McNutt is consulting law-yers over any ‘possible or probable defamation of my good name and international standing’.

He was reacting to comments published yesterday announcing the appointment of new JCRA chairman Lord Kingsland, the Shadow Lord Chancellor.