Jersey politician suspended over conduct breach

Deputy Philip Ozouf has been suspended from his States duties for 28 days

A Jersey politician has been suspended for 28 days for breaching the States Members' code of conduct.

States Members voted 29-17, with three abstentions, in favour of a proposition to suspend the St Saviour deputy Philip Ozouf.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee put forward the proposal after Ozouf was fined for speeding and failed to attend three parish hall enquiries.

Ozouf, who was also fined for not having a valid insurance disc, apologised for his actions.

Ozouf was first elected to the States in November 1999 and has previously held roles including deputy chief minister, treasury and resources minister and external relations minister.

He was fined by Jersey Magistrate's Court in February after he was caught doing 31mph (50km/h) - more than double the 15mph (24km/h) speed limit - on Les Ruisseaux on 2 November 2024.

An investigation by the commissioner of standards upheld complaints that Ozouf's offence and his failure to attend parish hall enquiries breached several codes of conduct for States members.

The action taken against Ozouf marked the second time a States member had been suspended following Stuart Syvret's suspension from 3 September 1996 until 4 March 1997.

'I fell short'

Privileges and Procedures Committee chairman Deputy Steve Ahier said the actions of Ozouf had fallen below the expected standards of States members.

Ahier added he felt Ozouf had been treated differently because he was a public figure.

Ahier added: "If a member of the public missed three parish hall inquiries and failed to turn up to a magistrates' court hearing, then their arrest would have been ordered."

Speaking during the States Meeting, Ozouf - who was fined £275 for speeding and a further £300 for not having a valid insurance disc - said sorry several times for his actions.

Ozouf said he has been facing personal challenges including the death of his partner and being diagnosed with ADHD.

He added he had a "lapse of judgement" with the speeding offence.

"I fell short on that morning," Ozouf said.

Analysis from BBC Jersey political reporter Ammar Ebrahim

The debate on Ozouf's future centred around his mental health and whether a suspension was a proportionate punishment.

Deputy Kirsten Morel even called for the debate to be held in secret as discussing the deputy's mental health publicly would be humiliating.

Deputy Ian Gorst said there was no way that he could accept a suspension was proportionate.

It seemed Ozouf would survive the vote given how many spoke in his defence during the debate, but ultimately politicians who did not speak were convinced that his actions had breached the codes of conduct and a suspension was a proportionate punishment.