Ferbrache to remain a consultant at law firm

Thursday 05 November 2020

Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache has come under fire for refusing to step away completely from consultancy work for the law firm that bears his name, despite saying he would do so.

The Policy & Resources President admitted that he will still undertake some work for Ferbrache & Farrell following questions in the States from Deputy Gavin St Pier.

His predecessor was unhappy that the new Chief Minister had backtracked on his word prior to his election to the position.

"In order to better discharge the mandate of the committee, Deputy Ferbrache undertook to cease all work, paid or unpaid, with Ferbrache & Farrell effective from Monday 19 October [the first working day since his election as Chief Minister]," he reminded the States during general questions about P&R's mandate. 

The Bailiff Richard McMahon asked Deputy Ferbrache whether he was "minded" to answer the question, ruling that it did not relate specifically to his committee's mandate. 

Was disappointed that Deputy Ferbrache confirmed he will be continuing as a consultant of his legal firm - his prior undertaking that arrangements made to cease all work effective Monday 19th October was unequivocal.

— Gavin St Pier (@gavinstpier) November 4, 2020

Deputy Ferbrache agreed to answer it, replying: "The only reason I won't answer something is if legally I can't or because I don't know the answer. I know the answer to that.

"I will still be a consultant at that firm, but I intend to do very little work. I have already withdrawn from the majority of work that I do at that firm. If I hadn't, I'd have been in a Court of Tribunal for 14 days - I would not be in a Court of Tribunal for 14 seconds of this month unless there is an absolute emergency, which I doubt." 

Deputy Ferbrache resigned as the President of Economic Development in 2018 following a probe into Ferbrache & Farrell being paid £300,000 for work carried out for the Office of the Public Trustee, which came under the committee's mandate. The Public Trustee subsequently resigned. 

Deputy Ferbrache denied any wrongdoing and was exonerated following a review by the States of Guernsey’s Internal Audit Unit, which said the appointment of Ferbrache & Farrell was "solely a matter for the Public Trustee under the Law", and that there is "no evidence of a breach by the former President of the CfED of the Code of Conduct for Members of the States of Deliberation".