DEPUTY Philip Ozouf – who earlier this month avoided a jail sentence over a string of immigration offences – is facing a third suspension from the States Assembly.
The Privileges and Procedures Committee, which is oversees the Members’ Code of Conduct, has brought forward a proposal which, if approved, would see the St Saviour Deputy suspended for 28 days without pay.
After receiving a 120-hour community service order after pleading guilty to five charges relating to the employment of Rwandan nationals over an 18-month period. During some of his offending, Deputy Ozouf was External Relations Minister.
The Former External Relations and Treasury Minister has had a political career spanning more than two decades, but, during his sentencing, the Royal Court was told that his reputation has been left “in tatters”.
A 28-day suspension without pay is the maximum punishment that the PPC can bring forward for breaches of the Code of Conduct.
Last year, Deputy Ozouf received the same four-week suspension after admitting driving offences in the Magistrate’s Court, for which he was fined £575.
He recently served a second suspension from the States Assembly, this time with full pay, as a ‘neutral act’ pending the conclusion of the most recent criminal case against him.
After his Royal Court sentencing at the start of February, the St Saviour Deputy’s suspension from the States Assembly was automatically lifted but pressure has been mounting on the PPC to bring further sanctions.
Rule 6 of the Code of Conduct states that Members must not act in a manner which brings the Assembly into disrepute, while Rule 7 states that Members “must uphold the law in accordance with their oath of office”.
If approved when it is debated during the 10 March sitting, Deputy Ozouf would be banished from the States Chamber and its precincts, while he would also be restricted from “any parliamentary activity”.
PPC Chair Deputy Steve Ahier had previously indicated that a further suspension for Deputy Ozouf would not be brought due to the short period of time that the Assembly has left in this term of office before it breaks for the pre-election period.
However, the Committee has faced calls to bring a proposition forward – most notably from Reform Jersey.
The proposition to suspend Deputy Ozouf is due to be debated during the States sitting beginning on Tuesday 10 March. If it is approved by Members, Deputy Ozouf would be suspended until after the Assembly breaks for the election.
