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A DEFIANT Deputy Philip Ozouf has spelled out his wish to carry on serving the people of his district in the face of a move to suspend him from the States Assembly over an admitted breach of immigration law. The representative from St Saviour will be the subject of a behind-closed doors debate on 11 November as Members consider a proposition that he be suspended, with pay, for the duration of legal proceedings scheduled to stretch into 2026. Earlier this month, Deputy Ozouf pleaded guilty to five breaches of the law relating to the employment of Rwandan nationals in contravention of their visa restrictions. A trial involving a second defendant, who pleaded not guilty, is listed to take place in late January, with a hearing to set a sentencing date for Deputy Ozouf scheduled for 6 February. The Privileges and Procedures Committee, which brought the proposition, described the proposed suspension as a neutral act until the outcome of the court case was known. If passed, he would be suspended from attending and participating in meetings of the Assembly, but would be able to continue to serve his constituents. Deputy Ozouf told the JEP that while he could not discuss the court case, it was “absolutely” his intention to remain a States Member. “I absolutely intend to continue my work as a Deputy,” he said. “There are a number of projects ongoing and I have an over-riding obligation to continue to serve the people who elected me.” The former Treasury Minister, who has been a States Member for 22 years across two periods in office, said he had learned about the proposition on Tuesday during a meeting with PPC. “I had asked to meet PPC and hoped we would be able to develop a dialogue on this matter, but when the meeting that I requested took place it was clear that a decision had already been made,” he said. While most of the States Members contacted by the JEP were reluctant to comment publicly, it is understood that PPC brought the proposition after pressure from politicians who were preparing to make their own move if no other action was taken. One elected representative who did comment, Constable Andy Jehan, said he was “very disappointed” that Deputy Ozouf had not resigned. “The Nolan Principles [a set of standards for ethical behaviour in public life] include openness, honesty and integrity, and suggest – in my opinion – that the honourable thing would be for him to step down,” he said. Mr Jehan said he supported the rule which would require the debate to be held in private, saying that it was important not to have any impact on legal proceedings. Deputy Jonathan Renouf said he was pleased that PPC had brought the proposition, confirming that he had been among those telling Deputy Ozouf that he should resign. Members voted by 29-17 in September in favour of a previous proposition to suspend Deputy Ozouf. This followed a Magistrate’s Court hearing in February relating to him driving at twice the speed limit in a 15mph zones and failing to attend three parish hall enquiries. The initial suspension was for 28 days without pay, with Deputy Ozouf returning to the Chamber ahead of the meeting that took place on 14 October.
