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The States of Alderney have finally confirmed the departure of the Chief Clerk - three weeks after he was said by some in the island to have been 'sacked'.
In a statement released yesterday, it was said that "Mr Theo Leijser will not continue in the role of Chief Clerk to the States of Alderney, following the Christmas break".
Express understands he had left the position more than a week before Christmas.
Mr Leisjer was allegedly sacked by the States shortly after the resignation of the island's Policy and Finance Chair, and shortly before the resignation of the States' Press Officer.
The political upheaval continued into the festive break with another States member resigning, meaning the island is short of two politicians for the start of a new year. Both will be replaced in a by-election scheduled for early March.
Mr Leisjer was Alderney's fifth Chief Executive - also known as Chief Clerk - in five years, and he had been employed as Chief Executive for less than a year before leaving the post in December.
The decision that he was to leave the post is understood to have been made at a meeting of the Policy and Finance Committee held on 16 December.
This meeting came just a day after it was confirmed that the then-Chair of P&F, Nigel Vooght had resigned from the States.
The States of Alderney has made moves to replace Mr Leisjer on a temporary basis while deciding what to do next.
"Elizabeth Maurice, Deputy Chief Executive, who previously held the post of Temporary Chief Executive during 2023 prior to Mr Leijser’s recruitment will, in the interim period, undertake the Chief Clerk role and the statutory duties of the Chief Executive pending further consideration as to the permanent recruitment to this post," said a States spokesperson.
The States of Alderney has reiterated what it has previously said, that it will not enter into any further communication on this matter at this time in its role as employer, to protect the data of all employees.
Pictured top: Alderney's States (file image).
A politically uncertain new year looms in Alderney
IN FULL: Nigel Vooght's letter of resignation
Complaint lodged prior to Vooght resignation
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