In an email to some States Members, Deputy Tadier, who is Assistant Economic Development Minister, called for a government employee to be ‘removed from States employment’ – naming the person in question in the process. He also copied the employee into the email.
Chief Minister John Le Fondré has confirmed the Reform Jersey Deputy has been suspended from his ministerial duties as his actions were ‘unworthy of a minister, assistant minister or indeed any member of the Assembly’.
The Ministerial Code of Conduct states: ‘Ministers and Assistant Ministers have a duty to give fair consideration and weight to the advice of officers; must uphold the political impartiality of officers and not ask them to act in a way which would conflict with their responsibilities and obligations; and should act with courtesy and respect at all times toward officers, recognising their obligations as a good employer, for example, in promoting an environment that excludes bullying and discrimination and supports the open expression of views. In turn, officers have a duty to show the same consideration to Ministers and Assistant Ministers, recognising the authority of the ministerial office.’
Deputy Tadier’s suspension took effect immediately and will remain in place until the end of the States sitting of the week beginning 20 May 2019.
Senator Le Fondré said: ‘The Economic Development Minister [Lyndon Farnham] and I met with Deputy Tadier, and informed him that, given the severity of the matter, we decided to suspend him as an assistant minister with immediate effect, and to request him to retract his comments and to apologise unreservedly.’
Privileges and Procedures Committee chairman Deputy Russell Labey and Reform Jersey Sam Mézec were also made aware of the suspension.
