States code of conduct process took 'too long'

Deputy Gavin St Pier appealed against the recommendation to formally reprimand him but that was thrown out earlier this year

The chair of Guernsey's Medical Specialist Group (MSG) has expressed frustration at the time taken for a code of conduct complaint against a deputy to be finished.

The MSG, British Medical Association and Dr Sandie Bohin complained Deputy Gavin St Pier broke States rules when he made a speech in April 2022.

An independent panel found St Pier had broken the States code of conduct in his speech on safeguarding concerns, where he named Dr Sandie Bohin.

Its recommendation he be formally reprimanded is due to be voted on next week. St Pier has declined to comment.

MSG Chair Dr Steve Evans criticised the fact it has taken two-and-a-half years for this process to be resolved.

He said: "[It] seems a long time, with our complaints policy we have some very strict time limits.

"We may not always meet them, but we do our best and it's a lot shorter than two-and-a-half years."

'Fundamentally misleading'

The complaints from the three parties centred on allegations made in the States chamber in 2022, where Gavin St Pier named Dr Sandie Bohin as one of the clinicians involved in an investigation into safeguarding concerns.

The investigation into those concerns found no wrongdoing but a learning report was published.

The panel that considered the complaints found some of St Pier's statements were "seriously and fundamentally misleading".

Dr Evans has urged States members to approve the recommendation to formally reprimand St Pier.

In a statement, the BMA said the "consequences of the breach" of the States code of conduct had been "profound".

The BMA argued St Pier's actions "have had a negative impact on the local safeguarding process and has left the medical profession dismayed for their colleague, and apprehensive about the precedent set if this action is allowed to go unreprimanded."

It has said States members should "acknowledge this impact and would urge them to consider the implications of their decision on this matter" and it was "apprehensive about the precedent set if this action is allowed to go unreprimanded".

Behind the scenes some deputies have suggested an amendment to suspend Deputy St Pier from the States of Guernsey for six months to a year.

However, no proposals have been submitted ahead of the meeting.

The BMA added that "to name a doctor in parliament, with full knowledge of the impact that would have on their professional standing and well-being is reprehensible and, without precedent."