GUERNSEY’S chief minister met firefighters who closed the airport to listen, not to negotiate, a tribunal of inquiry heard yesterday.

The airport was reopened immediately after the 26 May meeting between the firefighters, Chief Minister Lyndon Trott, States head of HR Simon Elliott and Guernsey Press editor Richard Digard.

But that was not because any deal had been struck, Deputy Trott (pictured) said. He had been invited to hear the men’s side of the story but had made it clear from the outset it would be inappropriate for him to negotiate.

‘One role of the chief minister is to engage with members of the community, on request, to explain the policy of the States and it was on that account that I agreed,’ he said.

He said it had become clear the Public Sector Remuneration Committee’s binding arbitration approach was not going to see the airport reopen any time soon.

‘The firemen’s unanimous view was that they would not attend a tribunal,’ he said.

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