This Is Guernsey

By James Varley

THE President of the States of Alderney has described Peter Allen’s behaviour at Wednesday’s meeting as ‘out of order’.

States member Mr Allen (pictured) was ejected from the courthouse after reacting angrily to a report about the New Connaught Care Home. Mr Allen said the report’s author, Colin Williams, had no right to ‘slag off’ Alderney builders.

Mr Williams had criticised local building firms for refusing to pay for professional indemnity insurance, which is required by contractors on the £2.1m. project. He also attacked a local contractor for failing to tender for a section of the job while offering labourers at an hourly rate of £25 each.

Alderney’s rules of procedure do not permit reports to be debated, leaving Sir Norman with no choice but to give Mr Allen his marching orders.

Speaking yesterday, he said: ‘I just feel he [Mr Allen] was out of order. It is accepted that reports, and indeed questions, are not then subject to debate. It’s part of the rules of procedure and is exactly the same in Alderney as it is in Westminster.

‘When the speaker stands, a member should stop but Mr Allen didn’t. He refused and said he would carry on speaking.

‘The thing I didn’t like was having to shout. One doesn’t expect to have to shout at someone to do something in a States meeting.’

Sir Norman said ejecting States members was uncommon.

‘It’s the first time I’ve thrown someone out. It has happened in the past but is very rare. It was unfortunate the Lt-Governor was there to see it.’

Sir Norman went on to say Mr Allen had not ‘specifically’ apologised. When asked whether Mr Allen should say sorry, Sir Norman said: ‘It would be a polite thing to say.’

Since the meeting Mr Allen has called for the rules on debating reports to be altered. He also accused Mr Williams of repeating ‘gossip, hearsay and half-truths’ in his report.

Replying to Sir Norman’s comments, Mr Allen said: ‘I would have expected Sir Norman to point out to Mr Williams that his report had become a political statement. I believe that when a report becomes a political speech, it is no longer a report and it should be open to debate.

‘I was voted in by the people to ask the questions they want to ask. If Mr Williams makes a statement that begs questions, whether it’s in the States or not, those questions must be asked. I think I should have been able to point out that Mr Williams had overstepped the mark but I couldn’t even get my words out.’

Mr Allen said he would give the president a call to discuss the situation.

He also added: ‘Hopefully Sir Norman understands it is nothing personal. I know it is his job to maintain order, but I still think I was right.

‘Also, I hope the Lt-Governor was not offended. Maybe he enjoyed it. At the very least, it would have been some excitement for him and might make him think there’s a bit more life in Alderney than he perhaps thought.’

Mr Williams said his only concern was getting the Connaught job, which was controversially awarded to Guernsey-based JW Rihoy last year, back up and running.

Work on the Le Val site began in January but was halted after parts of the groundwork filled with water. Builders got started again this week but were stopped again due to a work permit problem.

Article posted on 19th March, 2010 - 2.29pm