Politician re-submits questions on ‘Farmhouse-gate’

Wednesday 22 September 2021

Deputy Gavin St Pier has re-submitted a series of rule 11 questions to the Head of the Civil Contingencies Authority, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, asking for clarity on alleged conversations between him and a hotelier.

Six questions were lodged for the last States debate but were ruled out by the Bailiff due to an ongoing criminal investigation.

Former Chief Minister, Deputy St Pier, asked what advice Deputy Peter Ferbrache gave his friend and client, Farmhouse Hotel Managing Director David Nussbaumer, in May this year.

It follows an alleged isolation breach at the Farmhouse Hotel involving two employees - which was described by Mr Nussbaumer as being "extremely serious" in leaked emails - but was not reported to the island's border authority at the time. 

The two employees have since been sentenced and Deputy St Pier has re-submitted his questions, suggesting that if they are ruled out again it is “tacit confirmation that an investigation is continuing.

Submitted fresh set of questions to Chair of the Civil Contingencies Authority ahead of next week’s States’ meeting. If Presiding Officer determines under Rule 15 that questions may not be put in ‘public interest’ that will be tacit confirmation that investigations continue... pic.twitter.com/zlfmOr59IT

— Gavin St Pier ???????? (@gavinstpier) September 21, 2021

Pictured: Deputy St Pier has amended some of his rule 11 questions, which should be posed to Deputy Ferbrache during the next States’ debate.

Additionally, Deputy St Pier has asked whether the Scrutiny Management Committee will be investigating alleged leaks from the CCA.

In an email to Policy and Resources that was shared with the media, Deputy St Pier asked: “In view of the serious concerns which would arise from any apparent breaches of confidentiality in the Civil Contingencies Authority’s work, does the Committee intend to ask the Scrutiny Management Committee to appoint a Scrutiny Panel, conduct an examination or review, or to advise the States if in its opinion circumstances justify the establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry in accordance with the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Guernsey) Law, 1949, as amended?”

Deputy Ferbrache was asked whether the CCA has any leaks during the latest media briefing, triggering an unprovoked defence of numerous accusations levied at him in the past.

Pictured: “I would say in relation to all of this, I would hope that there is some common decency out there and I would hope that some people who’ve been making comments would crawl back under their stones,” said Deputy Ferbrache during the latest media briefing.

Given the high level of public interest, Deputy St Pier has argued in the past that independent scrutiny is needed.

“The public are not stupid and given the implausible explanations, they think they know what happened," said Deputy St Pier.

"It is in everyone’s interests and for confidence in our governance and those governing us, that we have a rapid, external, independent investigation."