Falla to be interim external relations lead

Deputy Steve Falla finished fourth in Guernsey's general election last month

Deputy Steve Falla has been given interim responsibility for external relations and constitutional affairs, Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) has said.

The role had previously been held for nine years by Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq who was arrested last week on suspicion of telecommunications offences.

Guernsey Police said Le Tocq had been released without charge and it would not be providing a "running commentary" on the inquiry.

The remaining members of P&R have since "unanimously agreed" Le Tocq will not participate in any committee business while the investigation is ongoing.

'Change in circumstances'

The committee had initially said its members would share the responsibility for external relations.

But in a new statement, P&R said Falla would fulfil the role for "for the time being" as it was "a requirement under the rules of procedure to have a lead member".

It said that it had "revisited this matter" at a meeting on 25 July "because of the change in circumstances regarding active membership of the committee."

In June Falla finished fourth in Guernsey's general election with 9,017 votes.