At yesterday’s emergency meeting, which Senator Syvret did not attend, all his Council of Ministers colleagues except Home Affairs Minister Wendy Kinnard backed the dismissal vote. Announcing the decision yesterday, Senator Walker claimed that the Health Minister’s recent criticisms of the child protection services had put children at risk. He said that by publicly criticising child protection staff and standards, he had lowered staff morale and dented the confidence which parents and children had in Social Services staff. Yesterday’s move, which comes less than two years after the start of ministerial government, sets up the prospect of a lengthy, bitter, and acrimonious debate in the Statese. But it is not clear when it will happen. Deputy Bailiff Michael Birt is expected to rule this morning on whether yesterday’s meeting was fair and lawful.
Jersey Evening Post
