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MSG welcomes appeal decision

MSG welcomes appeal decision

Thursday 12 September 2024

MSG welcomes appeal decision

Thursday 12 September 2024


The MSG says Deputy Gavin St Pier has caused "serious damage" to the medical profession and safeguarding services in Guernsey.

It was confirmed earlier this week that his appeal against being found to have breached the States Members' Code of Conduct failed and the original decision upheld.

He now faces a formal reprimand by the Bailiff for naming Dr Sandie Bohin during a debate on the regulation and appraisal of medical professionals in April 2022.

The MSG has always said that was wrong, and its Chair has now welcomed the Appeals Commissioner's report - which upheld the original findings that Deputy St Pier had breached the Code of Conduct.

Dr Steve Evans said this was the right decision for Dr Bohin, the MSG, and the medical profession in Guernsey.

"(The) report, which supports the Code of Conduct panel’s original findings in April 2023 of six serious breaches of the code, completely justifies the reasons that we brought the complaint in the first place," said the MSG's Chair.

"We are delighted and relieved that the more than two-year ordeal for our consultant paediatrician Dr Sandie Bohin is coming to an end.

"Deputy St Pier’s conduct was grossly and manifestly unfair to Dr Bohin. By naming her in the States on 27 April 2022 and by making misleading statements, he caused serious damage not just to her reputation but also to trust in the medical profession and the safeguarding service in Guernsey as a whole."

dr steve evans msg

Pictured: Dr Steve Evans.

Deputy St Pier faces a formal reprimand from the Bailiff now his appeal against breaching the Code of Conduct has failed.

That is the third most serious sanction available under the Code of Conduct, out of four possible results - a caution, reprimand, suspension, and expulsion.

It will only happen after a States debate on the matter - expected to be later this year - where Deputies will be asked to agree to the reprimand.

Earlier this week he declined to comment on the Appeals Commissioner's ruling ahead of the States debate on the decision.

“As a courtesy to the States of Deliberation, I will not be making any public comment on this matter until my political colleagues have had an opportunity to debate the matter,” he told Express.

The Code of Conduct complaints and decision were separate to another investigation which cleared Deputy St Pier of abusing parliamentary privilege by naming the doctor in the chamber.  

states-chamber.jpg

Pictured: The States of Deliberation will be asked to agree that Deputy Gavin St Pier be formally reprimanded pursuant to the Code of Conduct for Members.

The politician used Parliamentary Privilege to name Dr Bohin, while disclosing that he had queried a misdiagnosis affecting a family member. 

Deputy St Pier said what followed was a “bizarre and Kafkaesque safeguarding investigation”.

Dr Bohin, a paediatrician was the island's safeguarding lead at this time.

She, the MSG, and the Guernsey and Alderney Branch of the British Medical Association, all lodged Code of Conduct complaints - which Deputy St Pier was found guilty of.

He appealed but the Appeals Commissioner Martin Jelley QPM DL has upheld the original verdict. 

Deputy St Pier's political colleagues cleared him of abusing parliamentary privilege during a debate last year. 

READ MORE...

St Pier loses code of conduct appeal

St Pier conduct appeal could be considered by a public standards commissioner 

Three Code of Conduct complaints lodged against Deputy St Pier

St Pier remains quietly confident over code complaints

Calls to curb 'parliamentary privilege'

St Pier cleared of abuse of privilege

 

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