6 days ago
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.
