This Is Guernsey

By Gemma Hockey

STATES-funded organisations should no longer comment on deputies, according to Deputy Barry Brehaut. He said administrative bodies that are nominally independent but rely on government funding, such as GuernseyFinance, should show the same restraint as civil servants.

He said comments made by the promotional agency’s chief executive, Peter Niven, calling concerns about its funding from Deputy Le Sauvage ‘blatant electioneering’ were rude and blunt.

‘The States pay significant sums to quasi-autonomous non-government agencies over the course of the year and that generosity should be met with the appropriate degree of responsibility,’ he said.

‘Civil servants are not allowed to pass comment at all, let alone in the direct blunt and, frankly, rude manner in which Mr Niven appears to have done.

‘This may be the time to reflect as to whether the same restraints that are on senior civil servants should be extended to those organisations that are substantially funded by the States.’

He said concerns on the part of Deputy Le Sauvage about the organisation’s funding had been expressed in the past.

‘A number of deputies, myself included, have raised concerns regarding the funding of Mr Niven’s organisation for some time. It is wholly appropriate that at this time in particular value-for- money issues are raised,’ he said.

‘Mr Niven is in a fortunate position. His organisation and salary, in part, are funded by the taxpayer, by the electorate. Deputy Le Sauvage has every right to raise the issue in the manner in which she did,’ said Deputy Brehaut.

Deputy Le Sauvage believes public funding for the industry body should have been stopped to coincide with the introduction of zero-10 this month.

‘Deputy Le Sauvage has a record on speaking out for those within our community who are having to manage on £10,000 a year and less,’ said Deputy Brehaut.

‘It is entirely consistent with her track record that she would raise this issue regardless of the proximity to any election. Mr Niven, who receives an ample salary courtesy of the taxpayers of the island, may just want to reflect on his remarks, both on their content and the fact that he is able to ﾓbite the hand that feedsﾔ. An apology would be entirely appropriate,’ said Deputy Brehaut.

Article posted on 21st January, 2008 - 12.00am