Deputy resigns from Care of Children panel

Deputy Kevin Pamplin. Picture: JON GUEGAN

The St Saviour district No 1 representative made a number of comments about the 16-year-old’s appearance, calling her ‘really cute’ and ‘sexy’, seven years ago before he entered the States.

In sometimes late-night exchanges over several months, he suggested they got drunk together and that it would be ‘fun to hang out’, and told her there was ‘always a cuddle here with your name on it x’.

The woman, now aged 23, passed the transcripts to the JEP earlier this month and called for him to stand down from the States.

Deputy Pamplin, who is still a Member of the Assembly and attended last week’s States sitting, has now resigned from the Care of Children in Jersey Review Panel.

The group was set up in September 2018 to examine the policies, legislation and actions of the Council of Ministers in response to the recommendations made by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.

Deputy Rob Ward, panel chairman, said that Deputy Pamplin had volunteered to leave the group.

He added: ‘The Deputy has stepped down and the panel will continue its work with its existing members.

‘I would like to thank the Deputy for his work, which is sometimes in a sensitive area. We want the work of the panel to continue unhindered and I am focused on that.’

Deputy Pamplin did not respond when the JEP tried to contact him yesterday but he has previously been advised by his lawyer not to comment.

In his online conversations with the girl, he acknowledged that some of his messages had been ‘inappropriate’ and ‘a bit pervy’ but continued to make remarks about her appearance.

Review panels are distinct from Scrutiny panels as they are formed by volunteers, and appointments and resignations do not need to go before the States.

As well as Deputy Ward, the panel comprises Deputies Mike Higgins, Montfort Tadier and Louise Doublet.

It is not yet known whether a new member will join the panel or whether it will continue with its present composition.

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