Jersey minister Philip Ozouf called to debts court 10 times

Philip Ozouf has been called to the petty debts court 10 times in the last five years

Jersey minister Philip Ozouf has been called to Jersey's Petty Debts Court 10 times in the past five years, the BBC has discovered.

It comes after the deputy stood down from his Financial Services position on Monday in the wake of three recent debt summons being revealed.

Jersey's Magistrates' Court has now confirmed a further history of debt actions Mr Ozouf has faced since 2018.

He remains the island's External Relations Minister.

Mr Ozouf has described all the cases as "private matters", but could not guarantee he does not have any outstanding, unpaid bills.

Jersey's Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, has previously said ministers must uphold the "highest standards in all aspects of their lives".

She said that while she did know about Mr Ozouf's three most recent petty debts cases - two of which had been settled before reaching court - she was unaware of the previous actions brought against him.

Mr Ozouf said: "Those issues are all about private matters which I've always dealt with if they've been late.

"We do have somewhat of an issue in terms of the way that we deal with administration increasingly in a digital world. As somebody who travels a lot, who's always travelled a lot, (I) sometimes might not be aware of a letter - that's not acceptable.

"But as we move to a digital world, it means I need to catch up with my administration, and I can do so now, and I will do so."

Debts cases involving Philip Ozouf since 2018:

• 12 December 2018 - Skyfall Collections as Assignee v P Ozouf - Cassé (closed)

• 6 January 2021 - Parish of St. Saviour v P Ozouf - Cassé

• 13 January 2021 - Signtech (CI ) Ltd v P Ozouf - Cassé

• 24 March 2021 - SGB Hire (Channel Islands) Ltd v P Ozouf - Cassé

• 13 October 2021 - Jonathan Le Maistre Tree Surgery Ltd v P Ozouf - Judgment for the Plaintiff

• 1 December 2021 - Drainway Services Ltd v P Ozouf - Cassé

• 23 February 2022 - Pallot Glass & Glazing Ltd v P Ozouf - Cassé

• 30 November 2022 - Parish of St. Saviour v P Ozouf - Cassé

• 21 December 2022 - Parish of Trinity v P Ozouf - Cassé

• 1 February 2023 - Health plus Ltd v P Ozouf - Adjourned to 1 March 2023

Mr Ozouf was not an elected politician between May 2018 and June 2022.

When challenged on any future debt action which could be brought against him, he could not guarantee that there are no further invoices that he is yet to settle.

"If there are, and I have had oversights, then I've now got a short period of time in order to deal with them and I will deal with them," he said.

"If there have been any other matters which have not been drawn to my attention they will be dealt with in order that I can give the public confidence to serve their interests in the right way."

'We are horrified'

Constable Karen Shenton-Stone, Chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, responsible for the code of conduct States Members are expected to abide by, said: "I just think it's absolutely appalling behaviour. I think if you got called to the Petty Debts Court once, you could understand it.

"Twice, you'd think maybe you were mending your ways, but three times since June is terrible and the fact that he's got a long history of it… it shows no respect for the courts and it shows no respect, really, for the people that you owe money to."

Ms Shenton-Stone said there were "a lot of us in there at the moment who are horrified by his behaviour".

She said: "Some of us had said to the Chief Minister, 'Was it really wise to put him into ministerial government?', and then we all get tarred with the same brush.

"It's not a pleasant place to be at the moment, I think she should take a long hard look and see whether he is the best person for the job."

She said there was a "great possibility" her committee would seek to make it a requirement for candidates standing in Jersey elections to declare their history of debt actions.

Candidates already have to declare criminal convictions.

Members of Jersey's government have spoken in support of their ministerial colleague.

"Deputy Ozouf is very capable; he's a very good External Relations Minister," said Deputy Elaine Millar, the Social Security Minister.

"I think the solution is a good one and it will allow Deputy Ozouf to concentrate on External Relations where he is a very, very strong and able minister."

Meanwhile, Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Tom Binet, said: "What's happened - it looks more serious than it perhaps is, but I understand there is a need for public confidence."

"He doesn't remain in charge of Financial Services. I have to say I sit around the table of the Council of Ministers with him and he's a very competent External Relations Minister."

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