Did the deputy chief ignore warning over that joke?
Tuesday 25th November 2008, 11:30AM GMT.
DEPUTY chief minister Bernard Flouquet might have been warned against repeating his now-infamous golliwog joke in public, it has emerged.
But former deputy Roy Bisson (pictured) yesterday rushed to the aid of his beleaguered friend.
He would neither confirm nor deny reports that Deputy Flouquet had told him the joke and that he had warned the deputy chief minister that it was inappropriate before the latter went on to tell it at a media briefing about the airport runway.
It also emerged yesterday that Deputy Flouquet is to make a statement at the beginning of tomorrow’s States meeting. That follows a discussion about the issue at yesterday’s Policy Council meeting.
‘Deputy Flouquet has the experience and expertise necessary to help the island through the major contracts and projects lined up in the near future. He is absolutely vital,’ Mr Bisson said.
- Some 70% of voters at www.thisisiguernsey.com thought that Deputy Flouquet should resign. Of the 732 votes – up from 578 yesterday – logged by 8am today, 223 were for him to quit as deputy chief minister, while 296 (40%) said he should leave the States altogether.
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If he is, according to Bisson, “absolutely vital” retain him as a consultant.
He should leave the States.
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B.L.Cumner
Good point, he is now damaged goods, and not trusted by many of the electorate.
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Further to the above, I am appalled that Flouquet is now due to take up valuable time in the States tomorrow with I presume a groveling apology.
You would think that the compensation scheme and other matters were far more important to debate than to hear him trying to keep his very lucrative job.
This proves he has brought shame on his position and the island as a whole and has to step down.
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So not only has Flouquet got poor judgement, he does not heed advice. If tomorrow’s statement is anything other than a resignation from his position of Deputy Chief Minister, then Guernsey’s reputation will be damaged.
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Bernard Flouquet should be forced to resign from office immediately and The States should offer a formal apology to Mr Obama. Not only has Deputy Flouquet insulted someone that offers hope and inspiration to the world he has put the reputation of Guernsey and its people at risk. If he is not forced to resign, Guernsey will appear to the world to be an ill educated provincial backwater that is lead by incompetent and ignorant politicians. This will not help our cause in these difficult economic times. I do not want someone with such views representing me to the outside world. I hope he will now do the right thing.
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Totally agree with the first five postings on this thread. The only thing that is ‘absolutely vital’ is that the disgraced Deputy Chief Minister resigns from this position to prevent further damage in the international arena.
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Resign!
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Telling the joke was very poor judgement, telling it after being advised not to is just plain arrogant stupidity.
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Is it too much to ask for politicians to act in a sensible, formal and statesmanlike way in this day and age? It is pathetic to make jokes of this kind or anykind when in office and pathetic politicians is the last thing we need!
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