Resignation call over 'inaccurate' screening budget

Deputy Dorey said it was a "regrettable error"

A Guernsey politician has called for the island's health minister to resign following an underspend on the budget for bowel cancer screening.

Earlier, Deputy Mark Dorey said the budget had been spent. But, he has now said there were "significant underspends".

Deputy Mike Hadley said it was "totally unacceptable".

Previously, Deputy Dorey said accounting difficulties led to him making a false statement.

The health minister was pressured to reveal the figures over concerns not enough people were being screened.

'No confidence'

At the December States meeting, Deputy Dorey said all of the budget for bowel cancer screening had been spent.

In an email to all deputies, he has now said there were "significant underspends" in both 2012 and 2013.

Deputy Hadley, a former member of the Health and Social Services Department said: "I will try and move a vote of no confidence against Deputy Dorey.

"I admit I have only been in the assembly for six years but I've never ever known a minister mislead the assembly to this extent."

In his email Deputy Dorey said the budget for the service was spread across a number of areas of the department and so "regrettably the information I gave in good faith appears to be inaccurate".

He said working out the "precise costs" would not be possible until early in the new year.

He added that he apologised for the delay and would "correct the regrettable error" by presenting the accurate figures at the January States meeting.

The Health and Social Services Department or Deputy Dorey are yet to comment.