St Pier to resign from committee following arrest

Former chief minister Deputy Gavin St Pier has announced his intention to resign from Guernsey's Policy & Resources Committee (P&R) following his being arrested.

On Friday, Deputy St Pier and his wife were arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and a related offence.

Guernsey Police said the arrest related to the same investigation which involved the couple being arrested in December last year on suspicion of harassment.

Deputy St Pier told the BBC: "We were released without charge. We unequivocally deny any wrongdoing."

Guernsey Police said: "On Friday 1 May, Guernsey Police arrested a 59-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman on suspicion of misconduct in public office and an offence under the 1948 Reform Law.

"These two individuals were first arrested on suspicion of harassment in December 2025. These new arrests directly relate to the same investigation.

"Inquiries into all matters are ongoing and Guernsey Police will not be commenting any further at this stage."

In a personal statement released on Saturday, St Pier said: "I was released without charge. I categorically deny all allegations which have emerged from the complaint that's already in the public domain. Given the ongoing police investigation, I cannot comment further.

"I have this morning called the President of the Policy & Resources Committee, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, and advised her that I will be writing to the presiding officer to resign from the Committee.

"I intend to seek a fresh mandate from the States of Deliberation in the election for the vacancy created by my resignation.

"Given my role, seniority and the nature of the allegations, it is entirely appropriate that my colleagues in the Assembly are given the opportunity to determine whether they wish me to serve as a member of P&R."

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez said: "We, the other members of the Policy & Resources Committee, met to discuss the situation and - whilst being clear that this confers no commentary on Deputy St Pier's guilt - agreed that the most appropriate course of action would be for Deputy St Pier to offer his resignation.

"I did not have to ask him to do so, however, as he told me of his decision in a conversation this morning."

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