Latest news with #JonathanLeTocq
BBC News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Steve Falla to be Guernsey's interim external relations lead
Deputy Steve Falla has been given interim responsibility for external relations and constitutional affairs, Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) has role had previously been held for nine years by Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq who was arrested last week on suspicion of telecommunications Police said Le Tocq had been released without charge and it would not be providing a "running commentary" on the remaining members of P&R have since "unanimously agreed" Le Tocq will not participate in any committee business while the investigation is ongoing. 'Change in circumstances' The committee had initially said its members would share the responsibility for external in a new statement, P&R said Falla would fulfil the role for "for the time being" as it was "a requirement under the rules of procedure to have a lead member".It said that it had "revisited this matter" at a meeting on 25 July "because of the change in circumstances regarding active membership of the committee."In June Falla finished fourth in Guernsey's general election with 9,017 votes.
BBC News
26-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey deputies urge chief minister to call for Gaza ceasefire
Pressure has been put on Guernsey's chief minister to write to the UK government to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Twelve of 38 Guernsey deputies have written to Chief Minister Deputy Lindsay de follows a move by Jersey's chief minister earlier this week, in which he wrote to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy urging British pressure be maintained to end the conflict and "immediate cessation of violence against civilians and the release of all hostages." De Sausmarez said she will reply to the letter early next week. Guernsey's lead on external relations for the past nine years, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, is currently not working in the role after he was arrested on suspicion of telecomunications offences earlier this week. Responsibility for external relations is now being shared among members of the executive Policy and Resources Committee. 'Humanitarian access' The letter calls for Deputy de Sausmarez to lobby the UK government to allow "full and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza", and the rapid recognition of a Palestinian state. "Guernsey has a proud history of standing up for humanitarian values, especially in times of profound injustice," the letter says."While we may not have direct responsibility for foreign policy, we do have a moral voice. "As chief minister, you are in a unique position to convey the deep concern felt by many islanders and to call for urgent action." The letter has been signed by Deputies David Dorrity, Tina Bury, Andrew Niles, Jayne Ozanne, Jennifer Strachan, Neil Inder, Rhona Humprhries, Garry Collins, Hayley Camp, Marc Lainé, Marc Leadbeater and Andy Cameron. It comes as a letter from more than a third of UK MPs to Sir Keir Starmer called for the UK recognise a Palestinian lead signatory of that letter was Sarah Champion MP, who heads the All Party Parliamentary Group with responsibility for the Channel Islands, and piles pressure on the UK's prime minister after France committed to recognising a Palestinian statehood within months. Israel, which controls border crossings into Gaza, has been urged to let more aid into the Gaza Strip as humanitarian organisations increasingly warn of spreading has said foreign nations will be able to send supplies into Gaza via air drop in the coming days. But head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency Unwra, Philippe Lazzarini, says air drops will not "reverse the deepening starvation" in Gaza and that they are "expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians".Instead, he says political will is required to "lift the siege, open the gates and guarantee safe movements and dignified access to people in need". 'Gravity of situation' Israel also says "hundreds of trucks still await pick up" at crossings into Gaza as it insists there are no restrictions on aid getting into the the letter from Guernsey politicians, they urge Deputy de Sausmarez to "impress upon" the UK government "the gravity of the situation". They wrote: "The people of Guernsey expect their leaders to stand on the side of humanity, international law, and basic human decency."Referring to Jersey's letter to the UK government, the Guernsey letter added: "I hope that Guernsey, too, can raise its voice in solidarity with all those calling for an end to the devastation. "As civilians, and in particular children, continue to suffer the devastating effects of ongoing conflict and siege, I implore you, as a respected leader of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, to lend your voice to calls for justice, peace, and decisive action."
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
External relations to be shared following Jonathan Le Tocq arrest
Guernsey's top political committee will share the responsibility for external relations, after the arrest of Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq on Monday morning. Former Chief Minister Deputy Le Tocq had been the lead for Policy and Resources (P&R) liasons with foreign officials for the last nine his arrest earlier this week on suspicion of telecommunications offences, the remaining four members of P&R voted to stop him participating in P&R business until the investigation is over. In a statement P&R said it would "formally consider the future lead for external relations in due course, in the meantime, external relations commitments will be covered by other P&R members." Earlier this month Deputy Le Tocq said officials from Guernsey's States would be attending four party conferences, including the Reform UK event, for the first time. 'Avoid speculation' In an email to States members on Monday night, seen by the BBC, P&R President Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez encouraged her colleagues to "avoid any speculation" on the investigation. Guernsey Police said Le Tocq has been released without charge and while the investigation was ongoing they would not provide a "running commentary". Last month Le Tocq finished ninth in Guernsey's general election with 8,002 votes. He failed in an attempt to be elected as President of P&R, as he was beaten by Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez. In 2014 he defeated former deputy Alister Langlois to become chief minister, after the resignation of Peter Harwood.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senior politician arrested by Guernsey Police
Former Guernsey Chief Minister Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq has been arrested on suspicion of telecommunications offences. In a statement, Guernsey Police said a 61-year-old man had been arrested. The politician, who leads on external relations for the Policy and Resources Committee, has been released by police without being charged. Police said inquiries were ongoing and officers would "not provide further commentary while the investigation continues". Le Tocq has been contacted for a comment. More news stories for Guernsey Listen to the latest news for Guernsey Le Tocq lost the election to become the island's most senior politician earlier in July. He finished ninth in June's general election, where he received 8,002 votes. In a statement, the police said: "We would remind the community that this investigation is ongoing and no-one has been charged with any offence at this stage.' The States of Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee said in a statement: "The committee has been informed that Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq was arrested yesterday and is now the subject of a police investigation. "The remaining members of the committee have unanimously agreed that Deputy Le Tocq will not participate in any committee business while the police investigation is ongoing. "The committee will not be commenting further at this time." In an e-mail to all States members seen by the BBC, President of Policy and Resources Lindsay de Sausmarez urged deputies "not to speculate". She added the news came as a shock and that this investigation "may take some time". Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Related internet links States of Guernsey Guernsey Police
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey's States to send delegation to Reform UK conference
Guernsey's States will send a delegation to the Reform UK party conference in Birmingham this September. It is the first time an official party from Guernsey's government will attend the event. Alongside Reform's event, officials and deputies from Guernsey's States will also go to the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservative party conferences. Policy and resources lead on external relations, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, said: "Many MPs don't really know what the crown dependencies are and what Guernsey is." "We have for the past few years increased from one to three party conferences, now because of the changing political scenery in the UK we're adding Reform to that."Reform UK currently have four MPs in the House of Commons and are led by Nigel Farage, who visits the Channel Islands regularly. Deputy Le Tocq said it was important the island engaged across the political spectrum."Obviously the Lib Dems have big numbers in Parliament so we want to make sure our network is understood," he said."Overall in Westminster over half of the MPs are brand new, like here in Guernsey, "It's really important to have that engagement, so when questions occur we don't have people getting the wrong idea and our constitutional relationship is maintained."
