Remark was about previous States, Bailiff tells deputies

Friday 24th December 2010, 11:30AM GMT.

Bailiff Sir Geoffrey RowlandGUERNSEY’S Bailiff has attempted to distance himself from remarks he made this week which have been taken as criticism of States members.

In an email to all deputies, he said that he was poking fun at a previous Assembly or Assemblies when making a joke about taxing their brainpower.

‘In so doing, I trotted out a joke that is older than most of us,’ he said.

Sir Geoffrey Rowland (pictured) goes on: ‘How sad that the editor of the Guernsey Press has got it wrong in his Opinion column today, entitled, “Why jokes about States continue”. He has chosen to use the present tense of verbs when he refers, out of context and incorrectly, to part of my speech…’

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  1. 1
    po boy

    Im labeling a jar of my homemade jam with his face to commemorate this master stroke of PR savy

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  2. 2
    Toni Bandinee

    Chuckle Brother Trott and comedy Dave off the Hook ?

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  3. 3
    Mitch

    It was obviously directed at a previous group of States members. To suggest that the present group of hapless misfits currently making up the islands so called government are in possession of any brain power at all is frankly a fairy tale fitting of the panto season we find ourselves in.

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  4. 4
    Steve

    I must admit that the continual decline of the GP to comic status over the last few years has made me consider stopping buying it.
    I think that day arrived today, this will be my last.
    Digard really should consider his position.

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  5. 5
    Peter D

    I can’t believe all this fuss.
    In the original report it states “comment that had been made to him by a tax adviser when he first left private practice to take up the role of HM Comptroller about 18 years ago.”

    I would think that the only person likely to be in the States now that was there 18 years ago is Ivan Rihoy and I know that Ivan has a sense of humour…!

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  6. 6
    vic gamble

    …methinks the man protesteth too much…. unecessarily. The current buns in the States fit neatly into his joke about the past.

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  7. 7
    Frank

    Two comments:

    Bailiff: Stop back pedalling. It was a joke and should be taken as such. Be a man and don’t feel the need to make excuses.

    Deputies: Grow up and take the joke – don’t be so sensitive!

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