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Steps are being taken to extend the pan-island Code of Conduct Commissioner role to Alderney after it was revealed that a paper will be considered by Alderney’s senior political committee early next year.
The Chairman of Policy and Finance was asked during this month’s debate for updates on the Channel Island’s pan-island Commissioner.
States member Alex Snowdon asked: "[Are] there any updates about the Channel Islands new pan- Island Commissioner for Code of Conducts complaints and Alderney’s involvement in this?”
Guernsey and Jersey now share a Commissioner for Standards – Dr Melissa McCullough – after the islands adopted a process for dealing with alleged breaches of the code that is more in line with other jurisdictions.
Alderney has since expressed an interest in being included in this agreement, but it’s understood that no steps have been taken to facilitate this yet.
Pictured: Mr Snowdon put questions to the Chairman of P&F.
In response to Mr Snowdon’s question, Nigel Vooght said: “The Policy & Finance Committee remains supportive of the Commissioner for Standards role extending to Alderney.
“As such, informal discussions have taken place with the Pan-Island Commissioner for Standards, Dr McCullough, who has confirmed that she would be willing to undertake the role for Alderney subject to the necessary political approval.
“This is likely to necessitate some legislative changes in order to appropriately recognise this new statutory role, and a paper is due to be considered by Policy and Finance early in the new year. This will need to take into account the specific Alderney context, including the role of the President in the absence of a specific parliamentary Committee. We hope to extend an invite to the Dr McCullough to join the Policy and Finance Committee meeting when we discuss this item.”
During the same debate Mr Snowdon also asked whether the current Code of Conduct could do with being updated, “so members have a clear direction when conflicts arise”.
Mr Vooght said: “Corruption is defined as dishonest conduct by those in power and includes bribery being the offer or payment of illegal inducements, usually in exchange for an unfair and illegitimate advantage. Instances of political corruption create losses to local taxpayers, reputational risk to the States, and the Island and undermine public trust. In common with other jurisdictions, we therefore have a zero-tolerance approach and the responsibilities for States Members are set out in the Code of Conduct.
“In my view, the current references in the Code of Conduct to; the seven principles of public life, declaring conflicts of interest, and acceptance of gifts and hospitality, are appropriate and proportionate and include reference to the relevant Prevention of Corruption Law.
“States Members have a responsibility to act in the public interest and ensure compliance with these provisions.
“Importantly, in the event of a breach or alleged breach of the Code involving an allegation of corruption or any other issue, detailed processes are included setting out how this will be investigated and the sanctions.
“This is not to say that we need to be complacent. We must keep the Code of Conduct and other resources in the States under review so that we respond to changes and risks in the wider environment that we work in and learn from others. As noted in my first answer, such a review is underway as part of the Joint Commissioner work.”
Pictured top: Mr Vooght.
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