Calls for Alderney standards commissioner

No further action has been taken about a code of conduct complaint submitted last month

Ex-politicians have called for an independent standards commissioner to rule over a code of conduct complaint against the president of the States of Alderney.

It comes after the vice president of the States, Steve Roberts, decided no further action would be taken over a complaint against President William Tate.

Bruce Woodhead submitted the complaint on 6 February after he resigned from the States of Alderney in December and said the way it had been dealt with was "ridiculous".

The president and vice president have both declined to comment.

A code of conduct complaint submitted in Alderney States would ordinarily be overseen by President William Tate

The complaint centred around Woodhead's belief Tate had been "totally biased" against the States' former chief executive Theo Leijser during a December 2024 policy and finance committee meeting at which Leijser's employment status was discussed.

Woodhead said Tate was "incensed" by a press release after Nigel Vooght had stepped down as chair of the committee.

He said Tate told the committee Mr Leijser "should not have passed comment" on Vooght's departure.

In response to the complaint, Roberts said the complaint "has not been substantiated" and "determined that that no further action will be taken".

Woodhead said Roberts had a "conflict of interest" because he attended the meeting.

'Ridiculous'

Vooght said responsibility for the code of conduct needs to be "taken off-island".

"It lacks independence, it lacks integrity and transparency."

Woodhead said: "The code of conduct has demonstrated the system doesn't work. It's null and void.

"It's ridiculous, because you put in a code of conduct complaint for good reason, and it's not even being looked at."

He called for an independent standards commissioner.

Nigel Vooght approved a standards commissioner

Before stepping down as president of the policy and finance committee Nigel Vooght had approved for Dr Melissa McCullough, who is the commissioner for standards for both Jersey and Guernsey, to do the same for Alderney.

Two days after his resignation the item was removed from the agenda as two members were not present.

The States of Alderney said for the law to changed to create an island commissioner, at least nine members of the States (in addition to the person presiding) would need to be present at the meeting where the amendment is tabled.

There are currently eight States members, with a by-election scheduled for 8 March, when it is hoped two more will be elected, the States added.