AN EMOTIONAL Laurie Morgan yesterday announced he would not stand for chief minister. And the race for the job took another turn with Peter Roffey throwing his hat into the ring.

Deputy Morgan told the House at the end of yesterday’s debate on the Wales Audit Office report that he had been proud when elected to the post in May 2004.

‘Today is decision day as far as I’m concerned,’ he said.

He added that it was only right to tell the House before the media.

‘My decision is not to stand for election. I concluded I could not guarantee the Policy Council would function better for the remaining year of this term. That’s partly because of the criticism I received and the criticism from the Wales Audit Office report.’

He did not think it would be helpful to be in the council, even with the same team of people.

Deputy Morgan added the rest of the council had been ‘a wonderful team of ministers’.

The House gave him a standing ovation after his speech, while his wife, Deputy Wendy Morgan, broke down in tears.

He remains in the post until Monday’s elections and will then see out the next 12 months as a deputy on the floor of the House.

Deputy Morgan refused to speak to the Guernsey Press about his decision.

It will be a four-way race to replace him.

Deputies Jonathan Le Tocq, Bernard Flouquet and Mike Torode all announced their intentions to run shortly after the council’s resignations.

Now Deputy Roffey will also stand – a decision he said was made easier by Deputy Morgan’s announcement because had nominated him for the post in 2004.

Deputy Roffey has said consistently in the past that he had no ambition for the job.

‘So why the change of mind? Largely because I have been surprised and disappointed that there isn’t a broader range of candidates,’ said Deputy Roffey.

He added it was vital members could register support for a candidate who they were totally committed to.

‘To achieve that there does need to be an eclectic range of candidates on offer.’