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The Deputy Bailiff has had to intervene to stop insulting WhatsApp messages, describing one Deputy as a "bearded tw*t", from being read out in public.
Deputy Andrew Taylor was speaking during yesterday's States debate on a proposal brought by the States Trading Supervisory Board around stockpiling inert waste at Longue Hougue.
Earlier this year, the Development and Planning Authority had voted by a majority against that happening - but the STSB went to the States to get that decision reversed.
Deputy Taylor was the only member of the DPA to vote in favour of the proposal in July and he backed STSB during the States meeting yesterday too.
During his speech on the matter he recalled past conversations with his colleagues on the DPA - particularly focusing on comments made by Deputy John Dyke.
Pictured (l-r): Deputies Chris Blin, Andrew Taylor, Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, Victoria Oliver, and John Dyke make up the DPA.
Deputy Taylor sought to explain how the DPA works through applications and makes its decisions.
Focusing on the proposals around inert waste which the DPA rejected in July, he said that one of his colleagues was intent on voting against whatever happened.
Reading from WhatsApp messages between members of the DPA, Deputy Taylor revealed that the President, Deputy Victoria Oliver had messaged her committee members to alert them to the fact that STSB would try and reverse its decision through the States.
Deputy Peter Roffey - the President of STSB - had called to inform her, she said.
Deputy Taylor said he replied pointing out that STSB has already published a media release - commenting "good on them".
Deputy John Dyke then replied, according to Deputy Taylor, writing "imbeciles".
Deputy Dyke then messaged the WhatsApp group again said Deputy Taylor.
"This could be fun," its alleged Deputy Dyke wrote. "Roffey creates 'Mount Trashmore'. Mark Helyar is on to his nonsense."
A further message from Deputy Dyke is said to have read "I am sick of that bearded tw*t".
This was met with immediate consternation from some States members, with Deputy Andrea Dudley Owen among those calling a point of order.
The Deputy Bailiff interjected at the exact same time to admonish Deputy Taylor.
"I'm not sure it's assisting this debate in reading that WhatsApp message.
"I think we all need to be aware of what we put in writing, and there is always a risk if you put something in writing that they're going to be read out.
"I don't think it's helpful to debate. I don't think it's helpful for this assembly to deal with matters in this way so I would ask you to cease reading those elements of the WhatsApps that appear to just be insults, please."
Pictured: Deputy Peter Roffey leads STSB which has successfully overturned the DPA's decision on stockpiling inert waste at Longue Hougue.
Deputy Taylor agreed to stop reading the messages out, but he did say that no other members of the DPA spoke out against the way deputies were talking about each other.
He said his intention had been to highlight inappropriate behaviour.
Deputy Dudley-Owen again rose to question whether Deputy Taylor had broken any data protection rules in reading out private messages between deputies.
The Deputy Bailiff said she would not dwell on the matter any further and anyone with concerns could raise it after the meeting had closed.
The debate continued and STSB was successful in overturning the DPA's decision.
Deputy Andrew Taylor voted with STSB while the other members of the DPA chose to abstain.
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