This Is Guernsey

By Nigel Baudains & Anna Brehaut

Beleaguered Deputy Chief Minister Bernard Flouquet was not without his supporters yesterday, including Mike Chandler outside the Royal Court. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0677142)

THE deputy chief minister’s refusal to quit over his ‘golliwog joke’ angered many of his fellow States members yesterday.

A substantial number thought Deputy Bernard Flouquet had compromised his ability to represent Guernsey in the international arena and wanted him to step down. Many thought resignation would have brought closure to the matter and feared it could now drag on.

Deputy Jane Stephens wished to disassociate herself from Deputy Flouquet’s failure to respect and reflect anti-discriminatory attitudes.

‘I hoped that his statement today would demonstrate appropriate and proportionate responses to the expressed concerns of members of the public,’ she said.

‘There will be many who lack confidence in Deputy Flouquet’s ability to continue in his out-facing roles and I feel he should have relinquished those today.’

Deputy Barry Brehaut said he had signed Deputy Leon Gallienne’s letter calling for resignation and hoped Deputy Flouquet would reflect on his decision.

Deputy Flouquet should resign as deputy chief minister but remain at the head of Public Services, according to Deputy Barry Paint. ‘I don’t want to lose him from the States, but he made a horrendous mistake - although I do blame the media for blowing up the situation,’ he said.

‘I would be concerned if there wasn’t proper closure on the matter. I have got confidence in him as minister for Public Services, but we have to look at how people overseas view the States.’

Deputy Rhoderick Matthews said the external view of Guernsey was the important thing and that public opinion should also be taken into account. Many representations had been made to him to that effect.

Deputy David De Lisle said Deputy Flouquet should have stepped down from his deputy chief role and said he would now support a vote of no confidence.

Deputy Carol Steere was also disappointed that Deputy Flouquet had not resigned as deputy chief, but would not comment further.

Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher shared that view.

Deputy Shane Langlois said Deputy Flouquet’s resignation as deputy chief would have been in the best interests of the States and the island. He would now, reluctantly, support a move to see him ousted from the post.

Deputy Mike Hadley said he had recently been in a resignation situation himself but it had not damaged the island’s reputation. He said he had received more emails on the Deputy Flouquet issue than just about any other subject and thought his resignation as deputy chief was needed to protect the island’s reputation.

Others were less committal. Deputy Al Brouard said he was pleased that Deputy Flouquet had apologised to the States and islanders but declined to comment on whether he should resign.

Deputy Jack Honeybill said it was obvious that Deputy Flouquet had realised the error of his ways and his comment had been an awful faux pas, but he would not comment on the resignation issue.

Depositor protection Page 5

In the House Pages 30 & 31

Article posted on 27th November, 2008 - 1.00pm