A PROPOSITION calling for the suspension of Deputy Ozouf looks likely to be debated by States Members in the coming weeks – although it remains unclear who will initiate the move.
After a letter was sent to the Privileges and Procedures Committee by Reform Jersey leader Deputy Sam Mézec on Monday, PPC chair Deputy Steve Ahier said yesterday that he did not expect a proposition to sanction Ozouf for a series of immigration offences would stem from his committee.
Deputy Mézec said his party was requesting the motion be brought in order to “defend basic standards in our politics” and to protect vulnerable migrant workers against exploitation, but Deputy Ahier told the JEP that PPC members had not reached agreement on such a move.
“We considered it at our meeting on Monday and determined that we wouldn’t lodge a proposition,” Deputy Ahier said. “It is however open to any Member to bring a proposition under Standing Orders, as long as there are six names on it.
“There were a lot of factors to consider, but in the end we felt it wasn’t the right way forward.”
It is understood that at the time a vote was taken at the PPC meeting, three Members of the committee, which has a total membership of seven, were not present and that the vote was tied 2-2.
Deputy Mézec told the JEP he would be “going back to my Reform Jersey colleagues to collectively decide what our next step is”.
Should a proposition be lodged, either by Reform Jersey or another Member, it would be debated either during the Assembly sitting starting on 24 February, or at the following meeting, which starts on 10 March.
If passed, the maximum suspension allowed by the current Code of Conduct for Members is 28 days, without pay. Ozouf received such a sanction last September as a result of a speeding conviction, while in November the St Saviour politician was also made the subject of a “neutral” suspension, with pay, lasting until the resolution of his court case.
The case concluded last week when the former Treasury Minister was sentenced to 120 hours of community service after pleading guilty to employing migrant workers against the terms of their work permits.
Having been sentenced, and avoided imprisonment, Ozouf’s suspension was lifted, meaning he is able to resume his full duties as a States Member. He has not responded to a JEP request to comment on whether he will return to the Chamber later this month, and whether he intends to stand for re-election in the election on 7 June.
