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No complaints against States deputies were upheld by the new Commissioner for Standards in public life last year.
The Commissioner took up her post in March 2023 to replace the Code of Conduct panel and acts as the ethics and standards watchdog for politicians in both the States of Guernsey and Jersey.
Dr Melissa McCullough has powers to investigate complaints submitted, or initiate investigations herself if she believes a member has breached the Code, which governs behaviours in official government business such as committee meetings and States debates.
The Commissioner also offers support and guidance to politicians on the Code.
She must report back to the States Assembly & Constitution Committee with the outcome of investigations.
Five complaints alleging a breach of the States’ rule book were sent in by the public up to the end of 2023, but all were inadmissible, according to the Commissioner’s annual report.
Dr McCullough said this was due to complaints being outside the scope of the Code, and a lack of evidence in the first instance that there had been a true breach.
Since being appointed the Commissioner has advised States members on changes agreed to the Code, overseen the creation of a dedicated website for complaints to be submitted.
Dr McCullough was paid £11,500 in 2023 for 23 days of work, at a standard rate of £500 per day.
This includes complaints casework, administration, formal visits to the island, and one-off start-up costs.
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