GOVERNMENT officials have been rebuked for telling States Members not to comment publicly on the Haut du Mont criminal trial.
The Bailiff Robert MacRae said an email sent by the government’s communications team was “inappropriate” and “perhaps high-handed”, despite being motivated by sincere concerns about the proceedings.
Deputy Montfort Tadier raised the issue in the first States Assembly meeting of the new term yesterday, saying an initial message to civil servants had also reached politicians before a second email was sent specifically to Members.
He said that he did not dispute the advice itself, but said it was “wholly inappropriate” for the Chief Executive or members of the government communications team to issue instructions to the Assembly.
The Bailiff agreed, stating: “It is not appropriate for a civil servant acting on behalf of the executive to tell Members how to conduct themselves in this context.”
However, he said the email had not infringed parliamentary privilege or limited Members’ freedom of speech.
States rules already restrict comments which could prejudice court proceedings, while remarks made outside the Chamber remain subject to contempt-of-court law.
