A States member could face disciplinary action over comments made about other deputies. Rhoderick Matthews faced a barrage of criticism in the States yesterday over his attempt to delay zero-10 tax reform by a year – a move which was heavily defeated.

But it was comments he made in emails backing his argument before the debate that had angered some.

While he apologised to Treasury minister Lyndon Trott and Commerce and Employment minister Stuart Falla by name, he fell short of doing the same for deputies Bernard Flouquet and Laurie Morgan.

Chief Minster Mike Torode said he was not happy with Deputy Matthews’ response in ‘supposedly apologising’.

‘The sort of comments he put in those emails were bordering on the libellous – I don’t think his response this morning was at all satisfactory,’ said Deputy Torode.

‘If anybody wanted to make a formal complaint, there’s a disciplinary board set up to ensure States members behave in a proper manner.’

The board is chaired by Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland but it remains to be seen if any members will take the matter that far.

During the debate, Deputy Morgan expressed his concern about claims by Deputy Matthews that he and Deputy Flouquet had been ‘sacked’ after Fallagate, suggesting the comments were libellous.

Deputy Matthews stood firm after the debate. ‘I didn’t mean to personally offend anyone.

‘I think I made that clear and I explained how I saw it in the debate,’ said Deputy Matthews.

He added that there were question marks against the four members of the steering group that had strongly pushed through zero-10. ‘Those are matters of fact, not libel as one person quite wrongly stated.’

Deputy Torode said he was all for cut and thrust in debate. ‘I’ve been in the thick of it like anybody else, but we always try to keep attacks on personalities to a minimum.’

He added that when Deputy Charles Parkinson argued for an alternative tax strategy, he wrote to everyone, had meetings and talked it through.

‘Doing what he ‘Deputy Matthews’ did, there could be little doubt in anybody’s mind that it was aimed primarily at telling the public that Rhoderick Matthews was looking after their interests and don’t forget there’s an election in April.’

He suggested that 90 or 95% of deputies looked at it like that.

‘There’s a time and a place to electioneer. On topics as serious as this, this is not the time or the place.’

The amendment was lost by 41 votes to four.

Deputy Matthews said afterwards that the result was always to be expected, but he had had a tremendous response from the public.

Deputy Trott, who accepted the apology during debate, committed to contacting the people who had expressed concerns – around 500 had done so to Deputy Matthews.