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The scale of abuse levied at Guernsey's elected politicians has been pushed into the national spotlight after Deputy Gavin St Pier shared an email with national broadcaster, and frequent visitor to the island, Alastair Stewart.
Mr Stewart, who regularly presents the ITV national news, has been to Guernsey many times in the past as a guest of the IoD, hosting events and chairing panel discussions involving Deputy St Pier, who he has referred to as a friend.
Mr Stewart was commenting on the recent abuse suffered by UK MP Anna Soubry, who was called a Nazi among other slurs during an interview being recorded by a Sky TV crew. The ITV presenter said; "the only upside of the episodes of abuse being heaped on Anna Soubry and Owen Jones yesterday is that the pictures of the abusers, and the sound recordings of what they said, are both crystal clear."
Deputy St Pier replied, publicly revealing an email sent to all Guernsey deputies on New Year's Eve, saying that local politicians also suffer 'unacceptable' abuse.
We stand with them. Sadly, even in beautiful Guernsey, some members of our community think calling for the early deaths of elected representatives is legitimate comment. This bile is unacceptable; it mustn’t be tolerated; it cannot be ignored; it must be called out by democrats. pic.twitter.com/nN6uZe1DMN
— Gavin St Pier (@gavinstpier) January 8, 2019
The email, which was also sent to the Express news desk, said the author hoped a number of our deputies would die early deaths, in response to their voting in favour of the now approved 'opt out' organ donation law.
Pictured: Part of the email sent to Guernsey's elected politicians on New Year's Eve 2018.
The email went on to cast personal opinion on the relationship of one Deputy and her husband, while saying other deputies would also find their private lives subject to intrusion and speculation in future.
Deputy St Pier 'outed' the email publicly but it is believed to have been sent to all States members as well as members of the media and other members of the public.
Other deputies have been vocal in their condemnation of the email too, with Guernsey's longest serving States member, Deputy Mary Lowe, saying it was unprecedented.
This email a first for me in 24yrs!Some people will be frustrated with our decisions that comes with the job whether we like it or not but once somebody starts bringing my family into their anger as this clearly does,that sort of behaviour is not acceptable under any circumstance https://t.co/zLRjXd0wrM
— Deputy Mary Lowe (@DeputyMaryLowe) January 8, 2019
Deputy St Pier confirmed on Twitter that the matter had been reported to Guernsey Police.
Pictured top: Part of the email sent to Guernsey's deputies on New Year's Eve 2018.
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