Cleared Trott demands an apology
Monday 21st March 2011, 1:00PM GMT.
CHIEF Minister Lyndon Trott did not breach the States members’ code of conduct, according to the States Code of Conduct panel.
He was accused of abusing his position as chief minister on a recent Concept Group trip to South America. Deputy Trott is a non-executive director of the group and was allegedly introduced as chief minister of Guernsey on the trip.
Deputy Trott (pictured) said the ‘vexatious’ complaint had been orchestrated by the spokesman of a lobby group that had repeatedly sought to undermine the island’s reputation.
But Gary Blanchford said he had not made his complaint as a representative of Landsbanki savers.
The report did not address any of the points made in the complaint and the panel met behind closed doors, he said.
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I though G Blanchford had queried Mr Trott’s activities and sought clarification seeking to know whether this type of activity was a conflict of interest and an abuse of his position?
I don’t see why any apology is warranted – the whole point of being in the public sector is that you are, and can be held accountable for your actions. Has Trott demanded an apology or has the paper made this up?
I see it was held behind closed doors, so enough said realy…
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Number of questions, 1. Who sits on the board, 2. Why was it held behind closed doors, 3. Why are the minutes not available, 4. Is the board saying that he did not use his title of Chief Minister while on this trip. Perhaps Mr Trott’s taxpayer paid PR team would like to respond?
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If correctly reported, another PR blunder!!
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Stephen John /Paul
Another Public Relations blunder indeed
Haven’t the States cottoned on to the fact that there is a vital issue of TRUST involved in this matter?
OK,it’s almost impossible not to connect Gary Blanchford’s personal complaint against the CM with his involvement in the separate Landsbanki problem but surely the States Code of Conduct panel should have been able to foresee that such a dismissive statement with no explanation would lead to accusations of a whitewash
Whatever happened to ‘open government’?
I do hope that one of my Vale deputies has the courage to ask a question at the next States meeting so that the air can be cleared
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Ray
Who would you suggest any questions on this matter are directed at? The code of conduct panel is independent of the States and they have given their judgment, which is that the CM has done nothing wrong. How can that be seen as a dismissive statement? It is the verdict of the panel, that’s it. Why would the code of conduct panel lie?
You say it will be seen as a “white wash” and it’s a question of trust, well if the Code of Conduct panel had found the CM guilty of breaking the code, would you have said then that the panel cannot be trusted? Crucify someone for breaking the rules if you want but you can’t have it both ways, a complaint was made the complaint was investigated and a verdict was given.
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So sillly to make a statement that “the ‘vexatious’ complaint had been orchestrated by the spokesman of a lobby group that had repeatedly sought to undermine the island’s reputation”.
Far better to have kept quiet rather than now having to prove
1 that Mr Blanchard was vexatious – something almost impossible to prove, and a possible new complaint? and
2 that the complaint had been orchestrated et al.
Silence would have been a more powerful statement.
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dave Jones
i think Paul had the right idea, there does not appear, on the face of it, to have been any transparency whatsoever. Listening to the interviews:
Gary Blanchford submitted his report, it was passed to the Chief Minister, the Chief Minister submitted his report. Then, as far as I can make out,his report was not passed to Gary Blanchford, the Panel sat in secret and read both reports without calling either Complainant or accused. The Panel then issued a report, which again, from media interviews, it is alleged, didn’t address any points made in the complaint.
That to me has nothing open or transparent about it whatsoever and the whole system seems to need some form of revision
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Dave Jones
I’m glad that the CM is innocent .. very bad news for the island if he wasn’t… but surely you can see that an attitude of ‘a complaint was made,the complaint was investigated and a verdict was given’ doesn’t quite cut the mustard in these enlightened days of open government
This will run and run if the independent Conduct Panel is not directed to expand on their verdict by someone upstairs
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Samuel O
First of all there would have to be a prima fascia case to investigate before anybody was called, perhaps there wasn’t, I don’t know I have not seen the substance of either complaint or defense. What I do know is that the members of the Code of Conduct panel are all honorable people and I don’t think anyone should be calling their integrity into question. If they thought for a single moment that the CM had a case to answer they would have said as much. I trust the system to work and I have absolutely no evidence that it doesn’t.
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So if a member of the public are to report what they think is a wrong doing by a polotician (or anyone else for that matter) and are found not guilty the person as Mr Trott seems to think should apologise?.
You couldn`t make it up.
I have no axe to grind with this man but as time goes by i find it hard to have have any respect for that massive ego he has. I dont enjoy writeing things like that but it`s how i feel.
Dave J
I think the main problem her is that people see it as a bit of a whitewash, myself included i`m afraid.
If the public have a distrust in how this decision was reached then that needs to be addressed? openess will achieve this i think?.
His asking for an apology is nothing more than playground behaviour or to put it another way, the gloves are off. He may think GB started this but he is not our CM.
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‘allegedly introduced as chief minister of Guernsey on the trip.’
‘Deputy Trott (pictured) said the ‘vexatious’ complaint’
The above two statements, leave me thinking that Mr Blanchard made up a story of Mr Trott
being introduced as CM and therefore, as there was no probable cause, his seeking clarification as whether this type of activity was a conflict of interest and an abuse of his position, was vexatious.
However, if Mr Trott was indeed introduced as CM, it could hardly be considered vexatious, or alleged. Perhaps the person who witnessed what was said may have smartphone video or sound recording, to prove it was fact.
I assume the issue for the panel was to consider whether the matter was a conflict of interest and an abuse of his position, which I must admit would seem to me to be open to question.
Although it is quite acceptable for a States Member to have other employment/s, it would be of some concern, if the value of a non-exec to a company, was only the persons government title.
I do not think Mr Trott has responded in the most favourable way, I do hope he is more diplomatic in his dealings for the States.
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I will repeat what I have said before, if the CM had been found guilty by the C.oC.P would you have said “we don’t believe the verdict” because the decision was made behind closed doors. I don’t think so.
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Now I was just wondering where else I had heard those words of being chief exonerate him (in so many words) of any wrong doing.
I wrack my old brain and try to think, perhaps people can help…
Who else in this lovely old world of ours had the same Idea “Supreme Boss.”
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Dave
Surely the easiest way to do away with all the conspiracy theorists is to have open government, together with a Freedom of Information law.
When Governments (or individuals within Governments) make comments like “oh there’s no need for us to have that here” it only fuels people’s suspicions further, which is quite understandable. We could bring in the required legislation fairly easily by cribbing the existing or proposed laws of other jurisdictions, would that be something you’d be in favour of?
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Dave Jones in his reply to Samuel O says “What I do know is that the members of the Code of Conduct panel are all honorable people”
Surely Dave. people are entitled to expect hoonourable members of the Panel to explain their reasoning. It would be an hourable course.
Dave also says in the same post “I trust the system to work and I have absolutely no evidence that it doesn’t”
Perhaps the alternate is more apropriate. Most woould feel that there is no evidence without an explanation, that the system actually works.
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Phil
I would be in favor of a Guernsey version of the FoI legislation. Deputies had a presentation the other week from a lady from the Ministry of Justice on the UK Freedom of Information Act and even the staunchest supporters of the Act had to admit when they left that it looked like a very expensive exercise that gave the people very little and the government every single get out clause they required. In fact Phil if you go on the FOI website you will see many of these clauses listed there. The Data protection act, she told us actually prevents what many would think is quite innocuous information being released under new Data protection laws it is quite bizarre. So one act can in some circumstances cancel out the other. Guernsey in actual fact has very open form of government, now I know you won’t believe it but it is true. Policy from departments is listed in the Billets it presents to the States. All the Ordinances are listed in a separate Billet for people to pore over. Any islander can challenge any department on any aspect of that policy and I am not aware of any department refusing to answer legitimate questions to members of the public, with the exception of course of the personal details of people dealing with theses departments the main ones being Health, Housing, Education and Planning. In fact any islander can also check on who sits on the political boards of these departments and pick up the phone and contact those deputies personally, where else, other that these islands could you do that? People don’t need to be suspicious, all they have to do is ask, in fact I think at times the government is more open than is good for it and gets itself in some embarrassing situations because scraps of potential policy are put into the public domain before any firm decision is made and because our media is desperately short of news theses snippets become big news items with very little substance, the closure of coastal toilets is a classic case in point. Finally I would genuinely like to know from contributors on here, exactly what it is you think the States are hiding from you. I might regret asking that but lets see.
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Stephen
Would you expect the personal business details of elected members to be discussed in open forum, even when those interests that have been properly declared and are listed as such? It is the behavior of elected deputies that is quite rightly under scrutiny and the honorable people who make up the conduct panel have looked at the charge made against this deputy and found it to be unfounded. Stephen they have explained their verdict, by saying that the CM is innocent of the charge leveled against him.
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Well I would just say this..
If there is nothing to hide, then it should be alright to have it published.
It’s those who have many skeletons hidden away, who are all for secret meetings,
Those meetings in closed doors always brings suspicion.
NOTHING TO HIDE! THEN NOTHING TO FEAR.
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Dave, I bet the Ministry of Justice woman didn’t refer to Private Eye no 1279 page 30 re FOI requests on the hospitality enjoyed by UK civil servants.
What the article shows is the lengths to whcih civil servants, from the top down will go to avoid answering FOI requests.
Most are eventually answered and who is it who forces the disclosure? Surprise, surprise , it was the Infformation Commissioner and Data Protection laws.
So Dave, it is true that avoidance is attempted in the UK, but the avoiders are now at a disadvantage, because people like the Eye etc know their tricks, and there is an awatreness of most of the tricks that are used to attempt to avoid disclosure.
Guernsey needs an FOI law. No doubt about this.
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In the interests of transparency, yesterday i asked the Code of Conduct Panel if I could release my copy of their report in order to show that it did not address any of the points made in my original report. I received this reply today:
On whether we would permit either party to publish our report/note…
”The customary practice of the Panel where a complaint has not been upheld is to provide the Panel’s decision to the complainant and to the States Member against whom the complaint was made for their sight only and not for publication.”
“Customary practice”, does that mean it can’t be published or its not usually published.
Customary,= According to use and wont; Usual;
Yet another ambigious response
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Gary B
It’s quite easy to hide behind letters which muddy the waters
You’ll probably need to see them face to face to find out why they don’t appear to have addressed the points in your complaint
(Just watch out for the special handshake)
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Dave Jones asks on this forum “exactly what it is you think the States are hiding from you?”
Transparency is the simple answer, a word bounded about by politicians far and wide when seeking approval of the electorate and in writing their own manifesto’s, although in reality it is one the most difficult words they have to come to terms with during their governmental period of office and by and large the electorate see very little evidence or willpower to implement such good practice, particularly in instances like this.
What the public would like to know in this particular case is:
Did the Chief Minister use his title legitimately to the benefit of the Concept Group whilst on one of their foreign promotional trips? Was, what he was accused of, within the States Code of Conduct regulations or was there no evidence whatsoever to suggest he used his Chief Minister title incorrectly as part of the Concept promotion?
Having looked at the Concept website (http://www.cgl.gg/#/the-company-information/4535581345) you can quite clearly see that Lyndon Trott is introduced as:
Lyndon Trott, Non-Executive Director – An elected member of the Island’s government, formerly the Treasury Minister, currently the Island’s Chief Minister.
Having looked at a website page selling QROPS on behalf of Concept, it asks, Why use Concept Aurora QROPS, one of the answers is stated as:
http://www.ido-invest.com/Photo/DownloadCenter/Aurora_QROPS_-_Reasons_Why(00171).pdf
Chief Minister, Mr Lyndon Trott, is a non-Executive Board Member of the Concept Group.
The Company is therefore totally committed to taking a cautious and prudent approach to all business.
When you consider that the Chief Minister travels extensively throughout the world promoting Guernsey as a creditable finance centre, the fact that he is non-executive for a Guernsey registered finance company, selling QROPS throughout the world, surely is totally incompatible with his Chief Minister role.
To further compound the issue Lyndon has publically stated whenever he is travelling the world he is on duty as the Chief Minister of Guernsey. So which does he have the most allegiance to?
There is an urgent need to review the whole Code of Conduct regulations and to prevent further incidences of this nature occurring, the present mix and match approach is totally unsatisfactory and does nothing for the ‘transparency’ the electorate are looking for from their elected leaders.
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Ginger ninja
The answer to your question is that the CM clearly didn’t do any of the things that you assume he did. He is entitled to be a non exec director of any company he chooses just as his predessors were and as we all are and whether you like it or not he has been appointed the Chief Minister of Guernsey, I would ask, what is he supposed to do? deny that fact. For the last time, the Code of Conduct Panel found that he has NOT broken the code governing the behaviour of States members and therefore dismissed all the allegations as unsubstantiated. You say his business interests are totally incompatible with his Chief Ministers role, The Panel did not agree with you. You say the code needs reviewing to “prevent further incidents of this nature occurring”, what incidents? The C.oC.P found there was no alledged “incident” to answer for. The code of conduct governing States Members is very clear and the CM’s conduct has been reviewed and he has been cleared. Now I know that upsets some people who wanted him to be guilty whatever the evidence but as I said before if you want to call into question the integrity of the members of the panel then that is a matter for you and if you want the panel to answer your questions then I suggest you write to them and ask them. I am now done with this topic.
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Dave Jones
Having just looked at the site above,recopied below. The Chief Minister is being used to boost the reason for buying Concept QROPS, pension policies.
It asks, Why use Concept Aurora QROPS, one of the answers is stated as:
http://www.ido-invest.com/Photo/DownloadCenter/Aurora_QROPS_-_Reasons_Why(00171).pdf
Chief Minister, Mr Lyndon Trott, is a non-Executive Board Member of the Concept Group.
The Company is therefore totally committed to taking a cautious and prudent approach to all business.
Are you saying this doesn’t raise a question of conflict of interest? Especially as a Non-Exec Director.
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Dave
I understand that you’ve said you’re done with this topic, but if you can’t see that Concept and/or Lyndon are using his political office as a sales aid then you really must be blind. And it is THAT which causes the problem. The use of his political position to enhance the business of Concept is totally wrong, and yet it is blatantly done IN THEIR OWN MARKETING LITERATURE.
Wake up for goodness sake!!
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dave jones
I repeat
Another Guernsey Shambles
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Dave
On looking at the list of directors in the Guernsey operation and their backgrounds the one questoon that I asked myself is “Why this appointment?£
We don’t know whether there was or was not a conflict of interest, because the Panel chose not to share their reasoning with us. If they had then theses discussions might have been redundant.
Mr Samuel O and the Ginger Ninga are right to ask if there was a conflict of interest. Shame is the Panel, whoever thry might be; felt unable to share the reasons for thei decision with us. Giving the reasons for their decsion would have stopped most of the specuation as to conduct seen on these pages.
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Dave Jones – yesterday I tried to post the exact same quotes and links to those documents/ websites as Ginger Ninja and Samuel O but for some reason my comments never appeared.,………
Of course Lyndon Trott is allowed to be a non-exec director but if you look at how his name is being used it is clear that it is purely to lend credibility to this company.
Why else in the would the Managing and other directors NOT receive a brief biog on who they are and there relevant skills but the only lowly non-exec gets a full write up with his political credentials.
http://www.assured-alliance.com/QROPS/Aurora%20Information/Who%20are%20Concept.pdf
It’s clear to me.
Maybe then what you are saying is that Mr Trott hasn’t done anything wrong but in the way the company chooses to use his presence on the board that it has?
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Phil
One last time, what I think is not important, what is important is what the Code of Conduct panel felt when looking at the complaint and they say that the CM had not breached the provisions of the Code. That’s It. If you want to make a formal complaint against the panel then write to the Bailiff.
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Dave Jones
Thank you for being the only Deputy to state his case on this awkward subject.Where are all you others? Keeping your head well down trying to work out whether this could be a vote winner or loser I presume
My first reaction to Gary Blanchford’s complaint was ‘Here we go again…the Landsbanki brigade having another desperate pop’
They have been very noticeable by their absence on this thread and I would suspect that they have been told to keep out to avoid weakening Gary’s complaint
The CM is innocent.Fair enough, but I find my sympathies now lie very strongly with Gary because of the totally offhand treatment he has been given by this secret society panel
This looks like one for the Bailiff to further demonstrate his excellent leadership by directing this panel of unknowns to drag themselves out of the seventeenth century
Their ‘we have spoken’ attitude does nothing to encourage the modern day serfs towards supporting what should be open government as espoused on the radio this morning by the Environment Minister
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What jurisdiction has the Bailiff got Dave?
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Just downloaded the Code of Conduct for the Members of the States of Deliberation
The panel appointed to sit until 28/2/12 is made up of …
Chairman Mr A C K Day
Dep Chairman Adv N Tostevin
Panel members ..
Mrs J Beaugeard,Mr A Creasey,Mr P Crook,Adv R Evans,Mrs H Norman,Dame Mary Perkins,The Very Rev F Trickey and Mr M Torode
all very worthy people without question
Under Part 1(6)of the code for Members (not the panel)headed ‘Openess’ it states ….
Members shall be as open as possible about all decisions and actions that they take and must not knowingly deceive or mislead.They shall give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest,or statutory provision,clearly demand
Subsection (8)
Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in the integrity of the States of Deliberation and never undertake any action which would bring the States,or its Members generally,into disrepute
A great pity indeed that what is required of the Members does not seem to be required of the panel
Unless a little ‘openess’ breaks out concerning this no doubt correct decision regarding the CM then it will be very difficult to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence against a general suspicion of a whitewash
In fact the panel’s perceived aloofness and secrecy does no favours to the CM who has been cleared to the panel’s satisfaction but perhaps not so to many of the voting public
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Trott may have been operating within the provisions of the Code but, to use cricketing parlance, his antics contravene the spirit of the ‘game’. Politics is as much about perception as it is about substance, and ol’ LT is increasingly being perceived as a self-aggrandising globe-trotter.
He could start by doing a bit more, on island and for the common islander, rather than just wearing that silly lacquered lapel badge on his jaunts. The gravy train will make its final stop at the end of this four-year term otherwise.
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Conflict of interest is interesting. I should know, I’m Guernsey born but have now worked for the State of California EPA for the past ten years. Even I don’t trust the people I work for. How many other States members have jobs in the finance/private industry etc. I suggest a local group set up an NGO to start independently looking into these issues and push for greater transparency. Unless the public pushed back nothing will happen.
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Dave
Of course what you think is important. I was not making a complaint about the panel I was pointing out that it is BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS to anyone with half a brain that Lyndon’s political office is used to Concept’s advantage.
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Ray
Thanks for producing two detailed posts on 24 March.
Your last two paragraphs sum the whole issue up so well when yoou say
“Unless a little ‘openess’ breaks out concerning this no doubt correct decision regarding the CM then it will be very difficult to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence against a general suspicion of a whitewash.
In fact the panel’s perceived aloofness and secrecy does no favours to the CM who has been cleared to the panel’s satisfaction but perhaps not so to many of the voting public”
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Gary
I said the Bailiff because he is head of the Royal Court, which is the Tribunals headquarters.
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Openness = A demonstration of clear thinking and reasoned decision making.
Secrecy = Suspicion.
What is there to hide? Confidence in the islands government is surely in the public interest.
PS ‘Confidence in the islands government’ is the ultimate aim not the current state of affairs.
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Ray asks where all the other Deputies are.
This one notes the stated outcome of the most recent Code of Conduct panel investigation but remains distinctly uneasy about the process and about at least one part of the Code.
My unease relates to good governance. This month, PAC are asking the States to “adopt the six Core Principles of good governance” as determined by a UK Independent Commission.
Principles 4 states “Good governance means taking informed, transparent decisions and managing risk.”
Principle 6 states “Good governance means engaging with stakeholders and making accountability real.”
I am not entirely persuaded that the current Code of Conduct investigation process satisfies these principles. However, the test lies not with me but with Guernsey’s electorate.
In relation to the current Code, I am inclined to the view that the UK Ministerial Code deals more effectively with what might appear to be commercial interests. As I understand it,the British system manages risk by effectively suspending directorships during an individual’s period of ministerial office.
I make no comment about the specifics of the latest case because I have not had access to the evidence.
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What the Panel has done by its reluctance to provide its reasons is to fuel speculation. This cannot be to the advantage of Mr Trott.
The Panel by its lack of transparency, has probably done more to question the repute of the CM, and to keep the matter current; than the original question put by Mr Blanchford.
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Surely the most amazing issue in this whole farcical situation is that no-one has stepped into the very obvious vacuum that exists.
To all intents and purposes no-one is in charge. Or they pick single issues – like the crazy way the airport fire fighters stike was resolved. Leaving a bigger problem this year.
Unless/until Guernsey States recognises it has a management problem, and does something positive about it, it will continue to be nothing more than a talking shop. Lots of hot air but very little action. And all the time it prides itself on being a world wide financial centre. But it can’t add up.
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Public perception is paramount, more worrying is the fact that the issues raised in the matter have not been addressed by the panel, so the perception is a possible cover up!
I guess, in order to clarify the situation for the benefit of public perception maybe a Deputy can ask a question in the next States meeting:-
Is it acceptable for a company to use the services of a States Member, solely for the position they hold in the States?
When the next CM is selected, will he/her be able to gain an additional income by offering their States title to the highest bidder!!!
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Dave Jones
But Dave anyone writing to him is wasting their time because he hasn’t got any jurisdiction and would push them back to the code of Conduct panel. Believe it or not I tried to sort this by going to states assembly and Constitution, but was told they couldn’t do anything, only way was Code of conduct.
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Gary
The Sectary to the Code of Conduct panel is the Bailiffs sectary, which is what I was getting at and that is where any correspondence concerning the Code of conduct panel, including complaints against the panel itself should be sent
Phil
You say it was “BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS to anyone with half a brain” well it clearly wasn’t obvious to the Chairman of the panel or the other members who reviewed the evidence. I don’t think also, that I would be accusing those people either of having half a brain, they are all intelligent, articulate, well respected members of this community.
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Dave
There are none so blind as those who refuse to see. Don’t make yourself look silly again, you can’t seriously suggest that Lyndon’s political position is not used to Concept’s advantage in its marketing material. Why do you think they mention it? There’s no reason to, despite Berry’s claims about politically exposed persons.
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Dave Jones
Phil’s comment is quite right, but it appears that what the Code of conduct have said is, that it doesn’t breach the code, so the Chief minister can carry on regardless doing what he likes with Concept and there is no comeback.
Until this process becomes transparent the mistrust will only grow.
Phil’s comment reprated:
Of course what you think is important. I was
not making a complaint about the panel I was pointing out that it is BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS to anyone with half a brain that Lyndon’s political office is used to Concept’s advantage.
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What I do find interesting in the debate questioning the right of deputies to have directorships during their term of office, is the fact that one only has to look at the ‘Declaration of Interests’ on the States of Guernsey website http://www.gov.gg/ccm/navigation/government/states-members-and-committees/declaration-of-interests/ and you will see that, in my calculation, there are 19 declarations of non-directorships, but some 23 declarations of deputies who have one or more directorships, who between them declare 74 directorships in total.
Some of the directorships declared are such that it would be highly unlikely that there would be a conflict of interests, but, that said, there are also many that are less likely to fall into that category.
Deputy Sean McManus makes some interesting comments in his post, amongst them this one: “In relation to the current Code, I am inclined to the view that the UK Ministerial Code deals more effectively with what might appear to be commercial interests. As I understand, the British system manages risk by effectively suspending directorships during an individual’s period of ministerial office”.
Such political action to implement the same would certainly be one method of regulation for the Policy council members, but coupled with Sean’s questioning as to whether the present Code of Conduct Panel procedures stand up to recognised ‘good governance principles’, the likelihood of either getting through the current government during their tenure is a total non-starter.
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Samuel O
For the last time, NO deputy can carry on just as they like, they are bound by a Code of Conduct and if they break that code they can be disciplined. The panel found in this instance that the code had NOT been breached. Now you may have come to a different verdict and that is a matter for you.
I repeat on your last observation about Phil’s comment. It clearly was NOT blindingly obvious to the Code of Conduct Panel. They took a view and disagreed with you and others.
THE END
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Does Mr Trott not understand the grievious nature of the alleged allegation with regards to his position as chief whip of the house and generally does it not behove him as such to act in a manner notwhithstanding such a subservient position as this in that regard? Surely?
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Dave Jones
That’s not what I said.
The code of conduct have said that The Chief Minister didn’t break the code.
What Phil said was that it was obvious to anyone that the Chief Minister was being used by Concept to Promote their Company.
That appears to mean that he can use his position as Chief Minister to promote Concept and it doesn’t break the Code.
And that to my mind is a contradiction of terms and should have been clarified in their report.
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Samuel O
Yes, because the Panel have not explained their reasons, or even worse as far as Gary is concerned, they have not addressed the points he raised, the issue is not clear.
Therefore, I assume that when the next CM is selected, he/she (after approx. 12 weeks in the job) will be able to offer the title to the highest bidder looking to gain advantage over other local companies. Somehow, I cannot see that is right. A perceived conflict of interest.
Lets not forget, that Mr Trott gave up his part time job as a book-keeper, because the job of CM was a full time, only to decide some weeks later that perhaps he could take on an additional role. The only time one would perhaps hear a non-exec speak, might be at an AGM, other than that, the job is normally one of maintaining good governance and providing professional advice over an above that of the existing exec board members. A company is only going to add additional costs, if it sees value!!!
Conveniently for Concept, the role of CM has expanded since LT became CM. I have to assume it was a coincidence, but nevertheless, may raise further conflict of interest questions.
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Why don’t we look at this in a slightly different way………..
IF Mr Trott is a world renowned pensions expert (why else would he be on the board of this company? It’s been proved it’s not for marketing purposes…….) then he should be able to invest the civil service’s pension fund wisely and completely remove its burden on the rest of us.
After that he should be able to improve the performance of the ‘state’ pension for us plebs so that we actually get something back for the compulsory ££££££’s paid in instead of the pittance, if anything, that I’m due.
Should prove his competence in this area and improve the standard of living for the whole of Guernsey.
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If LT thinks he does a good job as CM he should spend some time on the task of promoting Himself (not the Island, not Concept) to his electorate. But it may well be too late.
He was not the most popular deputy by a long shot – he only just gathered enough votes to get in for this term of office. I have found his response to this fiasco arrogant, and if the majority of the voting public feel the same he is making a big mistake in allowing this to be resolved behind closed doors.
I do not see that Anyone should have to apologise for asking the original question. It was a valid question that any of us should have a right to raise. Rather I have been looking for the CM’s apology. In his place that would have been my first move in reassuring the public, should I be perceived to have done something that could damage either my own credibility or that of Guernsey.
If LT loses his role (not only as CM but as deputy) at the next election it will remain to be seen just how useful Concept find him.
The Code of Conduct Panel may have made their decision, but ultimately the voting public will decide whether they feel that the CM’s behaviour is to their taste or not.
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The only way and right way to resolve this is to make the minutes of the meeting available, what are they hiding. Was it a lack of evidence against Deputy Trott? When the majority of the population seem to want reassurance about our Chief Minister why are we not given the facts? Was any of this trip paid for by the taxpayer? Did deputy Trott use his States funded mobile at any time? Have Concept reimbursed any additional charges that his mobile would have incurred? Did the panel look at his expenses for that period? Answers please.
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A report with a precis of all the evidence submitted to the Code of Conduct Panel was sent in hard copy to all Deputies on 3rd April 2011.
It also contained a copy of the Code of Conduct report and correspondence between myself and the Code of Conduct.
A covering letter invited the Chief Minister to also place his reports, submitted to the Code of Conduct, into the Public domain.
The states Assembly and Constitution Committee, at last, have realised the total lack of transparency in this whole process and have publicly stated they will be looking into it. (Not the Chief Minister being cleared, but the whole process)
The full reports, letters, links can now be found at:
http://www.guernseypoliticaleye.info/Code-of-Conduct.html
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Gary
Thanks for making that available, it proves what I have said previously about anyone with half a brain being able to appreciate that Trott is conflicted when travelling the globe on behalf of Concept Group yet being introduced as Chief Minister.
Do these chumps not realise that the days of them keeping the public in the dark are (too slowly in my opinion) coming to an end? They make themselves look like total idiots (as do those who defend them i.e. Dave Jones) when they fail to act on such clear evidence. I wonder who appointed them to their positions in the first place?
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An excellent post by Gary Blanchford
It can only lead to the conclusion in the minds of the Guernsey public,and those further afield who rely on the island’s reputation for stable Government, that the Chief Minister(and the so called’investigating’panel)is guilty unless Mr Trott publishes his own side of this tawdry affair
You will be cutting your own throat Mr Trott if you try to hide this perceived whitewash behind rules of procedure
As it stands at the moment it only adds further ammunition to those who believe that this really is the worst States ever
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Press today:
“Dep Trott said: “The independent States’ members code of conduct panel considered the facts, together with details of a complaint submitted by the SPOKESPERSON FOR THE LANDSBANKI GUERNSEY DEPOSITORS ACTION GROUP, Mr Gary B….” (my emphasis)
Doesn’t anyone else find that an appalling misrepresentation and typical of the man?
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Gary
Thank you for doing this on behalf of all Guernsey residents. It is clear that his position has been compromised, not for the first time. The panel should release all relevant documents and clarify exactly why they felt that it needed no further explanation. In addition there should be an enquiry that NO public funds have been used during these trips
Other deputies should see the damage this is doing and remove him immediately as it is clear he would not do the honourable thing and resign, somehow in the light of recent events and their clear concern for self preservation I can ‘t see it happening. At the very least though a states member should be championing this.
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It doesn’t take a genius to work out what’s what now the cards are on the table.
Is LT still having the barefaced cheek to demand the people of the island are owed an apology from GB?
His overly confident blind hand has been called. No doubt his back scratchers will pull out for their own preservation too.
How can openness & transparency ever be seen to be working when procedures are carried out secretly behind closed doors?
Just waffle & lip service to assure the doubters that those in power want to believe are gullible enough to accept.
This wholeheartedly cements it.
I find it disgusting how LT can hold a position of power & high trust. He can wield it to round up others to protect him when it’s clear he is in the wrong.
He can do little more than the honourable thing now. Resign from his position.
Islanders will be expecting every other deputy to place a vote of no confidence in him as a leader.
How will he fare on the international stage now?
The national & international media will make a meal out of this. Every reporter worth their salt will seek to discredit him at every step from now on.
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Gary Blanchford has created the makings of Guernsey’s very own WikiLeaks.
Julian Assange would be proud.
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To my mind some of the most interesting evidence is to be found in the excellent email of Mary Lowe to Deputy Trott in http://www.guernseypoliticaleye.info/Code-of-Conduct.html. (page 14)
The exchange bewteen Deputy Lowe and Deputy Trott is well worth a read.
The emails certainly help in coming to view on this matter.
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Arnold:
I fully agree with your post, to try and discredit Gary Blanchford in that way is merely a tactic on the part of the Chief Minister in order to deflect the attention away from the real issue.
Gary is an out and out Guernseyman who believes passionately about his island and what’s happening to it, and, at least has the guts to stand up and fight for what he believes in.
How sad it is that it has had to be a member of the public that has had to take the lead in showing the Guernsey government just what it takes in providing the ‘transparency’ factor that they talk about so frequently, but rarely practice.
You have to take your hat off to Gary Blanchford for his own commitment to transparency, in ensuring the public have the opportunity to see his recent submission to the Code of Conduct Panel.
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The Chief Minister’s statement in the Press today:
‘I leave it to the code of conduct panel to release my submission, should they deem It appropriate.’
Now normally , the Chief Minister is keen to publish anything that will do him any good, and it would have been released immediately. Therefore one can only assume there are parts of his report that he is not too keen to get into the public domain, knowing that the panel will not release the report without his say-so , but at the same time wishing to appear to leave it in their hands and appear open.
Reading the report , there are two reports he submitted, one before the complaint had even been read by the Deputy Chairman.
The reports belong to the Chief Minister, he can release them when ever he wants.
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How telling that Deputy Jones has disappeared, perhaps his colleagues weren’t too happy about his Helping start the Deputies pension debate and have snapped the reigns, reminding him if he wants to maintain his seat at the top trough sorry table not to engage with the peasants.
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@ Paul re Guernsey’s very own Wikileaks. Will we now see the person behind this very welcome local development befall the same fate as Mr Assange and find himself/herself arrested on trumped up, politically motivated sexual assault charges and extradited to Sweden? Let’s hope not because I’m sure we all want to see much more of our own government’s secret machinations exposed in this way!
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Deputy Lowe’s questions and answers to and from the Policy Council are registered at the Greffe, but can been seen in full at:
http://www.guernseypoliticaleye.info/Code-of-Conduct.html
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What an eye opener it is being able to read the reply from the Chief Minister to questions raised by Deputy Lowe, not only in what Deputy Trott said, but comparing them with the six principles of ‘good governance’ that the States have recently agreed to adopt.
Considering the questions were directed by Deputy Lowe at the Policy Council about the Chief Minister, it seems somewhat arrogant and defensive that the reply is from the Chief Minister. This could be interpreted to mean that he alone has answered the questions and has not consulted with other members of the Policy Council.
The States of Guernsey could not better invest their time and energy than in having an ‘away day’ and using this time to compare the six Principles of Good Governance with this reply from the Chief Minister. Perhaps the second principle would be a very good place to start such an exercise!
The Bailiwick is, I believe, entering a completely new political era: the gobbledegook, the civil servant speak, and all of the other evasive tactics politicians adopt will no longer be accepted by the electorate, and politicians will have no option but to fully commit to the principles of good governance.
Principles of Good Governance
• Focusing on the organisation’s purpose and on outcomes for citizens and service users
• Performing effectively in clearly defined functions and roles
• Promoting good values for the whole organisation and demonstrating the values of good governance through behaviour
• Taking informed, transparent decisions and managing risk
• Developing the capacity and capability of the governing body to be effective
• Engaging stakeholders and making accountability real
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So L Trott thinks that GB should say sorry to the people of Guernsey? cut out your very transparent physcological games mr Trott, were not as stupid as you would like to think we are.
Stick to the issue which is about YOUR conduct not Gary`s.
It seems nobody or very few in the states will stand up to him and the COC inquiry was a joke. They did`nt seek to find anything other than the verdict they came to.
Keep up the good work GB, most of us can see past his arrogant crafty ways of trying to divert attention.
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I have read through the entire copy documentation and there is only one word which can be used to describe the Code of Conduct hearing, and that’s “whitewash”.
The copy correspondence with Deputies Lowe and Rihoy are especially eye-opening.
It is unfathomable that the Code of Conduct Panel could have reached the conclusion that they did reach if they were reviewing the same documentation which was published.
This appears to have been a gross error of judgement by Deputy Trott and by Concept, although I do not believe either party to be naive in the slightest.
This whole matter needs to be properly and independently reviewed as a matter of urgency. It is inconceivable that matters will be allowed to rest now that the true facts are in the public domain,
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Let’s not underestimate this, he represents guernsey at the very highest level. A position the current States gave him despite his relative unpopularity with the Guernsey people. Therefore all the deputies are responsible and should challenge this situation without any delay, to do any less means that we truly have a spineless, self serving bunch who care nothing for Guernsey.
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