THREE States members walked out during yesterday’s civil partnerships debate in protest at a personal attack on Health minister Peter Roffey. Just a day after the House approved a new code of conduct, Deputy Ron Le Moignan’s speech brought condemnation from other members.

Deputy Laurie Morgan said he might have left if he were not chief minister, while deputies Scott Ogier, Leon Gallienne and Mike Torode did.

During the debate, Deputy Le Moignan accused Deputy Roffey of name-calling.

He then questioned his leadership of the department, claiming a ward at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital had been empty for three years because of asbestos.

‘I think it was a scattergun attack on anything he felt I was doing wrong,’ said Deputy Roffey.

‘If he’s got a problem with the way I run Health and Social Services, there are clear mechanisms. I would relish him bringing a vote of no confidence because we would get the truth on some of these issues.’

He did not know what Deputy Le Moignan was talking about on the asbestos issue.

Deputy Le Moignan said that it was not sufficient to bring a vote of no confidence.

‘I hear things, you see external things with the hospital,’ he said.

‘I get the impression that it might need a little more time spent there to sort out the things. That’s his clear responsibility.’

He said that they had both apologised.

‘We move on,’ said Deputy Le Moignan.

Members backed further investigations into civil partnerships, which would give similar legal recognition to homosexual and heterosexual partners as married couples enjoy.

‘I accept the democratic vote, but I was disappointed that people got up and walked out when I was speaking, I have never done that,’ said Deputy Le Moignan.

‘I think it reflect sometime the emotions that can be raised in debates of this type, I don’t vilify them, I just think it’s unfortunate.’

Deputy Ogier said the speech was concentrating on the personality of Deputy Roffey.

‘I felt that it had little to do with the policy being put before us. Despite a couple of interventions from the top bench he continued in that vein and I no longer wanted to be in the audience.’

Deputy Torode said he respected everyone’s right to speak either in support or against.

‘I felt Deputy Le Moignan went too far and got very personal. That’s not in accord with the way I think the States should conduct itself.’

He added the only way he could register a protest was by walking out.

Deputy Gallienne said that Deputy Roffey’s opening speech was a bit harsh.

‘He was discussing issues such as the Health and Social Services Department which had nothing to do with the debate on the agenda about civil partnerships,’ said Deputy Gallienne.

‘I wasn’t prepared to sit in the chamber. On occasions we all have a bit of a rant on certain subjects, sometimes some of them go too far, and I think on this occasion Deputy Le Moignan went too far.’

He added it was nothing personal and he respected his colleague.

At the end of the debate, Deputy Morgan read out one of the rules of procedure.

‘We all agreed it on Thursday, we had an example today of a member making a personal attack on another which we all agreed we’d not do,’ said Deputy Morgan.

The code is not yet in force.

‘Had it been, somebody may have registered the first complaint.’