ST Saviour Deputy Philip Ozouf has been suspended from the States for the third time in seven months.
Last month, the former External Relations and Treasury Minister avoided a jail sentence after admitting five breaches of the island’s immigration laws relating to the employment of Rwandan nationals at his home and business.
He had already been suspended twice previously – the first time after being convicted of motoring offences at the Magistrate’s Court and on the second occasion pending the outcome of the immigration case.
After his Royal Court sentencing at the start of February, the St Saviour Deputy’s suspension from the States Assembly was automatically lifted but the Privileges and Procedures Committee, which oversees the States Members Code of Conduct, brought a further proposal.
During the States Assembly this morning, Members agreed that he should face a 28-day suspension without pay – the maximum punishment available for breaches of the Code of Conduct.
Deputy Ozouf was not present for the debate due to illness, and a motion from Deputy Sir Philip Bailhache to postpone the debate until he was back in the Chamber was rejected.
After a relatively short debate, Members voted to suspend the St Saviour Deputy by 34 to five with six abstentions. The new suspension means he will be unable to return to the States for the current sitting or the final one of this term of office later this month.
More to follow
