Jersey deputies told to apologise after code of conduct breach

Deputy Andrews has been told to apologise to the States Assembly

Two deputies have been told to apologise to the States for breaching its code of conduct following investigations into complaints they made against each other.

Deputy Max Andrews was accused by Deputy Moz Scott of "sustained disrespectful communications" towards her.

Ms Scott was accused of swearing at Mr Andrews on two occasions.

Jersey's Commissioner for Standards found they had both breached the code.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) agreed with the findings.

In the investigation into the complaints against Mr Andrews, the commissioner concluded he should apologise publicly to the States Assembly and write a letter apologising personally to Ms Scott.

The PPC said it will also consider further sanctions and "will propose a vote of censure to the States Assembly which intends to recommend takes place in camera".

The report into the complaints against Ms Scott found she had sworn at Mr Andrews on two separate occasions.

The commissioner recommended Ms Scott apologises to the States "for her behaviour".

Two complaints against Mr Andrews were made by Ms Scott and received by the commissioner on 29 April and 10 May.

Deputy Moz Scott made two complaints about Mr Andrews' conduct

The report said the first included unsubstantiated allegations against Ms Scott, discourteous communications to her and about her, and violation of her personal boundaries.

Ms Scott said Mr Andrews had made her uncomfortable after gifting her "inordinately expensive" chocolates, Chanel perfume, Molton Brown bath oil and Jo Malone room spray between November and December 2022.

The report said Ms Scott was "unsettled" by the gifts and Mr Andrews "behaviour, inconsistency and mixed messaging", including Mr Andrews telling her he "preferred older women".

Mr Andrews said Ms Scott's comments were "absurd", and that he did not have a "crush" on her.

'Malicious gossip'

The report said the second complaint referred to an incident that took place on 9 May 2023, Liberation Day, where Mr Andrews accused Ms Scott of lying and called her a "silly cow".

The commissioner concluded the deputy had breached three articles of the code of conduct and code of practice for ministers and assistant ministers.

It described the comments as "gratuitous insults and...malicious gossip" about Ms Scott, which included social media posts that were "disrespectful and reckless".

The breached articles cover maintaining integrity of the States, access to confidential information, and personal conduct.

The commissioner added he was not convinced that "submitting code of conduct complaints was the best way to try and resolve the issues between them".

Mr Andrews had been informed of the commissioner's conclusions, the report said.

'Swearing not acceptable'

In a separate investigation into the breach of conduct regarding Ms Scott, Deputy Sam Mezec reported inappropriate language had been used by her towards Mr Andrews on two occasions.

Ms Scott admitted she had used swear words to Mr Andrews once in November 2022, and again in February.

In the first instance, the report found Ms Scott had used the inappropriate language during a phone call, and Mr Andrews accepted her apology which she gave in January.

The report said Ms Scott had been provoked on the second occasion after being told to "calm down".

She said that the complaint had only been been made to "gain my attention to discuss his grievance against me", and that he "suggested that he would withdraw it if I did not proceed with my complaint against him".

Mr Andrews said he "never wanted to accelerate my complaint to the commissioner", and that he hoped she would "acknowledge that the swearing incidents were not acceptable".

The commissioner found "from experience, telling someone who is 'in a tirade' to calm down rarely has a calming effect, and that it could 'come across as condescending'".

They concluded the language used was "not respectful or courteous", and that Ms Scott had breached the code of conduct as she had failed to maintain the integrity of the States.