He was re-elected for a third three-year term unopposed on 27 July but chaired the nomination meeting himself, and in doing so broke the Public Elections Law.
Article 20 paragraph 2 states: ‘However, if at the meeting that Connétable is absent or is proposed as a candidate, the persons entitled under Article 2(1), (2) or (3) to vote in the election who are present at the meeting shall choose another officer of the parish where the meeting is held (or in which the election is to take place) to preside at the meeting.’ The issue has been referred to the Law Officers, and Attorney General William Bailhache is investigating.
‘There is an irregularity for the purposes of the Public Elections Law if a Constable chairs his own election meeting,’ he confirmed.
‘Article 61(4) of that law gives the Royal Court a discretion to proceed with the swearing in if the irregularity is not a matter of substance.
‘I am making inquiries to see if there has been any other irregularity.
If there were no others, I would conclude that there has been nothing substantially wrong, and propose that the court would administer the oath of office.
However, the facts would be drawn to the attention of the court and it would be a matter for the court as to whether it agreed with those conclusions.’
