"I've had stones thrown at my windows"

Monday 14 June 2021

States Deputies will have a choice over whether or not to publish their home address in the future, if the Assembly backs a proposition being drawn up by the Rules Committee.

The States' Assembly & Constitution Committee sought feedback from deputies about the publication of their addresses in the 'Blue Book' and online States profiles, which is currently mandatory.

It received 29 responses and indicated that longer-serving deputies were more comfortable with it than first-time deputies, a number of whom expressed concerns about the publication of addresses when other contact details are already provided. 

President Carl Meerveld and his Committee agreed that it should come down to personal choice, as it does in Jersey and the Isle of Man. The inclusion of a home address online, he argued, could be regarded as "an implied invitation to visit".

In the case of Sacc Vice-President Lester Queripel, this information has reportedly been used in order to target and cause criminal damage to private property. 

"It should be down to personal choice," said Deputy Queripel. "I have experienced irate people at my door and stones thrown at my windows."

Pictured: Deputy John Gollop suggested that personal choice over publication of addresses would help to protect the children of politicians from abuse. 

"My wing mirrors have been ripped off and my windscreen snapped. One time there was a note attached: ‘We don’t want no f***ing deputies round here'."

Committee Member John Gollop continued: "It’s not just Lester’s concerns, it's vulnerable people being alone and children of deputies being approached."

Deputy Meerveld suggested that the wording is also changed so that deputies can instead list a 'correspondence address' if they choose to. That way, a contact address can be given without having to supply the address of a family home. 

The proposals are now being worked up by the committee's senior officer and should go before the States Assembly for approval later this year. 

Pictured top: Sacc Vice-President Deputy Lester Queripel.