External review proposed to settle lease row

The island's policy and finance committee has recommended an independent report

An independent investigation could be ordered into two Sark conseillers regarding the awarding of a lease for the Old Island Hall.

Conseiller Tony Le Lievre and Conseiller Paul Williams were being investigated by the island's own Code of Conduct Panel (CoC Panel), about the awarding of a lease for a property known as the Old Island Hall, to a private individual.

The conseillers requested a review citing serious procedural errors but that was rejected because the CoC Panel said no new evidence had been presented.

Now the island's policy and finance committee has recommended an independent report by Dr Melissa McCullough, the pan-island commissioner for standards.

Dr McCullough handles complaints regarding politicians in both Jersey and Guernsey.

A report to the Chief Pleas said: "The recommended course of action is to commission an independent report by Dr McCullough into the events surrounding the lease award for the Old Island Hall.

"This recommendation is based on procedural failures and the need for a broader investigation than the CoC Panel can provide."

It said Dr McCullough’s terms of reference would allow a "thorough examination of all involved parties and actions".

The independent report would be presented to Chief Pleas alongside the CoC Panel’s findings for acceptance, rejection, or debate, said the report.

An extraordinary meeting of the Chief Pleas to consider the recommendation has been set for 13 November.