Guernsey's Deputy Chief Minister fails to get re-elected

Deputy Flouquet was one of three sitting deputies to miss out on re-election in the Castel district

Guernsey's Deputy Chief Minister, Bernard Flouquet, has failed in his bid for re-election in the island's 2012 general election.

He finished in 10th place in the Castel district, after receiving 778 votes.

Deputy Flouquet, also the Minister for Public Services, was one of three sitting deputies to miss out on re-election in the district.

Four years ago he hit national headlines after telling a racist joke in front of the island's media.

He first entered the States of Guernsey in 1997, and currently also serves on the Parochial Ecclesiastical Rates Review Committee and the Emergency Powers Authority.

Deputy Flouquet said: "I'm obviously very disappointed."

He said: "I prefer to look at it that the actual population of Guernsey wanted to see some form of change."

Deputy Flouquet also said he felt his high profile positions in the government may have had some bearing on his result in the election.

He said: "We [ministers] take the brunt of all the criticism that is placed against the departments."

Deputies Mike Garrett and Sean McManus also failed to win re-election in the Castel electoral district.