Ian Le Marquand out of Jersey chief minister race

The current chief minister, Senator Terry Le Sueur, is retiring from politics

Home Affairs Minister Senator Ian Le Marquand has withdrawn from the race to be Jersey's next Chief Minister.

On Monday he said he did not have any realistic chance of success.

Senator Le Marquand said the support he had in the summer "melted away" when Sir Philip Bailhache and Ian Gorst declared their intention to run.

He now feels that there is no chance of success and that voters will want a Chief Minister who received substantial support in the public elections.

Senators-elect Bailhache and Gorst came first and second in the recent election for senator.

Senator Le Marquand has thrown his support behind Senator-elect Gorst, but said he would work with whoever wins.

The vote for chief minister is on Monday, 14 November. After that the new house will vote for other ministers.

Senator Le Marquand said he would stand for one Ministry, but would not say which.