Deputy Montfort Tadier was suspended as an Assistant Economic Development Minister after urging some States Members in an email to back a potential proposition to sack a States employee.
And, following an FOI request, the email chain reveals that Chief Minister John Le Fondré branded Deputy Tadier’s response ‘unacceptable’ – before suggesting the Deputy retract the comment in a new email chain to try to avoid the correspondence being covered by Freedom of Information legislation.
Deputy Tadier has been a long-term campaigner for allowing the prescription of medicinal cannabis and successfully brought a proposition to the States last November, calling for medical professionals – including GPs – to prescribe the drug.
However, he has regularly criticised the lack of progress in the drug becoming more readily available and has bemoaned the lack of consultants willing to prescribe the drug despite the overwhelming support for his proposals.
Grouville Deputy Carolyn Labey initially contacted Health Minister Richard Renouf to ask what progress was being made after concerns were raised by her constituents.
In response, Deputy Tadier said: ‘I think the way forward is to have [name redacted] removed from States employment. Perhaps, you [Deputy Labey] and [St Peter Deputy] Rowland [Huelin] would back a proposition to this effect and have him replaced with someone who understands the science of medicinal cannabis.’
The member of staff in question was copied in to the email calling for his sacking.
Both Senator Le Fondré and Deputy Renouf suggested Deputy Tadier retract his previous comments in a further follow-up email.
In a partially redacted email, the Chief Minister said: ‘Monty, as an Assis Min (sic) you need to learn this – particularly as this would also be subject to an FOI request.
‘This is unacceptable.
‘I would suggest you do a new email retracting that comment and apologising asap. Do not include this, or any other part of that chain, in this email.’
Deputy Renouf also told Deputy Tadier to offer an ‘unequivocal apology’. He added: ‘John is absolutely right on this. Your email was unacceptable.
‘Using bullying and intimidatory tactics is an appalling way for a public representative to act. Are you not confident in your own arguments to rely on them without behaving like this?’
Deputy Tadier subsequently referred himself to the Commissioner for Standards, who is currently reviewing whether a breach of the ministerial code of conduct occurred. Deputy Tadier’s suspension as an assistant minister is due to last until the end of the States sitting beginning on Tuesday 21 May.
