Jersey did know...

Wednesday 13 November 2024

Jersey's Chief Minister has admitted that the island did know Guernsey's preferred choice for ferry operator was Brittany Ferries, and that they knew weeks before the announcement was made.

Previously, Jersey has said they did not know and that Ministers there were left blindsided when our Economic Development Committee announced on 30 October that our preferred bidder for the pan-island contract was Brittany Ferries, the parent company of incumbent Condor Ferries.

Now, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, the Chief Minister of Jersey, has told his government that Jersey had been notified of Guernsey’s decision to announce their preferred bidder was Brittany Ferries and not DFDS in a Teams meeting on 17 October.

Deputy Farnham also told Jersey States yesterday that this Teams meeting, almost a month ago, was the last time he spoke to Guernsey's politicians.

This admission came as Guernsey's ED President, Deputy Neil Inder hit back at hit back at the "inaccurate narrative being purported" around the ferry tender process, saying Guernsey did not break away from the pan-island process, and that Brittany Ferries was selected as Guernsey's preferred operator based on the scoring process both islands were using, and that by doing so, Guernsey has got "certainty" which Jersey now doesn't.

Pictured: Deputy Neil Inder.

Also in Jersey's States meeting yesterday, their Chief Minister backed the island's Economic Development Minister in his role, despite the ongoing process to choose a new ferry provider. 

Jersey Deputy Jonathan Renouf said that the ferry tender process had descended into an “omnishambles” that looked “chaotic” from the outside.

However, Chief Minister Farnham was firm that Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel was “absolutely right” to “make sure we have done all the work” and take time with the decision.

In response to a question from Deputy Renouf about his involvement in the decision process, Deputy Farnham said this extended to chairing Council of Ministers meetings and responsibilities for external relations with the relevant Minister “given the diplomatic implications of this particular piece of work”.

He said: “This decision has potentially wide-ranging and long-term consequences for Jersey. There are financial, economic, logistical, diplomatic, legal ramifications.

“And as we seek to improve our sea connectivity, it is absolutely vital that we maintain a cross-government approach, work together to find a consensus, keep Members and members of the public updated, and seek to find the right solution as soon as possible.

“We need to get a decision made, timetables published, and more assurance for the public, and that’s what the minister and other Ministers are working to achieve.”

When pressed by Deputy Philip Ozouf to reveal whether he had a preference for Brittany Ferries – as the “rumour mill” was spouting – Deputy Farnham quoted Standing Orders and the Bailiff released him from the requirement to do so.

He said: “Whilst it would be unwise to start expressing views on that in the middle of a discussion with operators, I feel the Council of Ministers have acted impartially.

“Both offers have strengths and weaknesses, and my preference is simply to find the very best option in Jersey.

“I neither favour Brittany Ferries or DFDS in this situation, they are both reliable and reputable shipping companies both capable of serving the islands well.”

Pictured: Jersey's Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham.

Deputy Farnham continued: “One of the key points of leadership is centred around decision making, and that is the ability to make a decision while properly informed, often under pressure, and considering what’s in our very best interests. That’s what the Minister is trying to do.”

He added that he thought the offer for Condor to extend their contract another seven months was a “sensible approach” and a “genuine attempt” to provide some assurance for next summer while discussions continued.

The Chief Minister ended the period of questions saying Deputy Renouf seemed to be taking “pot shots” at the Government for political gain instead of “focusing on supporting the Government to come to a decision which has been properly thought through”.

He said: “The Government is addressing this as a matter of top, top priority.

“We deeply regret that we weren’t able to come to a joint decision with Guernsey. We deeply regret that we’ve had to extend the time-frame so we can come to the right solution.

“But I would absolutely stress to members of the public, it is important we take the appropriate time to get the decision right, because if we get it wrong, there are serious ramifications.”

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