Guernsey's education minister survives resignation vote

Only one offer of resignation from four members of Guernsey's Education Department was accepted by the States.

The States voted 24-21, with one abstention, against accepting the resignation of Education Minister Carol Steere.

It also did not accept the offers of Deputy Minister Tony Spruce, by 26-19, and Deputy Matt Fallaize by 25-19.

However, it did accept the resignation of Deputy Mike Collins by 24-20. He was replaced by Deputy Jenny Tasker.

Deputy Collins was nominated to stand again but Deputy Tasker was elected by one vote, 22-21, to take the empty seat on the department.

Deputy David de Lisle was the only member of the department who did not offer his resignation in the wake of poor GCSE results for the island's three States-run high schools.

Speaking during debate, Deputy Steere said she offered to stand down as there was no motion in the constitution for a vote of confidence.

Deputy Steere said the matter had been blown of proportion and was simple. "You either decide that you are happy for me to continue or you are not," she said.