Financial Services Remit Switched In Political 'Shambles'

Deputy Philip Ozouf will no longer have political responsibility for Financial Services.

A statement from the Chief Minister says Deputy Ozouf wrote to her asking that his financial services remit be transferred.

It follows his recent third summons in the Petty Debts Court in as many months for unpaid bills.

Deputy Kristina Moore has appointed Deputies Elaine Millar and Ian Gorst as Assistant Chief Ministers and delegated the duties to them.

She says they will join a ministerial group with herself and the Deputy Chief Minister.

She says one of her main aims is to restore trust and confidence in government, and Ministers 'must uphold the highest standards in all aspects of their lives'.

Deputy Ozouf remains External Relations Minister, with the Chief Minister describing him as having made 'a positive impact'.

"An important part of my role is to always act in Jersey’s best interests. Importantly, this change ensures that we have strong leadership and focused Ministerial teams for both external relations and financial services in this important year for the Island." - Deputy Kristina Moore.

The government has released the letters between the Chief Minister and Deputy Ozouf, where the External Relations Minister admits 'oversights in the administration of his personal affairs'.

"Personal matters need to be dealt with properly and pressures of work are not an acceptable reason for letting matters slip. I recognise that being in public office requires the need to maintain the highest of standards of personal administration.

This is a requirement of all ministers including myself. I have undertaken to you not to allow issues of this nature to re-occur."

Responding, Deputy Kristina Moore says that it 'should not have occurred.'

"From time to time, we can all find that our busy professional lives create challenges with managing our personal affairs. Where we fall short, it is important to remedy that quickly and ensure it does not happen again.

As Ministers, we all have committed to restoring trust in Government and we have adopted a values-based approach. As leaders, it is critical that we live by those values."

Deputies Lyndon Farnham and Sam Mezec have described the matter as ' a shambles'.

A reactive statement issued to States Members this evening by the Chief Minister. What a shambles. pic.twitter.com/TfQlekJIye

— Dep. Lyndon Farnham (@lyndonfarnham) February 5, 2023

Poor judgment all round. Political responsibility for Financial Services should have remained with Dep Gorst. I don’t believe it necessary for Dep Ozouf to resign from the Gov/States but he must better manage his personal admin to avoid further distraction and reputational risk.

— Dep. Lyndon Farnham (@lyndonfarnham) February 6, 2023

How it started v how it’s going#omnishambles pic.twitter.com/KhblHnDeMx

— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) February 6, 2023

Just days ago we were told Deputy Ozouf was keeping the financial services portfolio so it can have a strong team leading on it. Today we’re told he is losing the portfolio so it has a strong team leading on it…

Government spin doctors not good value for money lately.

— Deputy Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) February 6, 2023

Deputies Millar and Gorst join Lucy Stephenson, Alex Curtis and Constable Andy Jehan as Assistant Ministers.