Camp stands for P&R vacancy after St Pier's arrest

A first-term deputy is set to stand for the upcoming vacancy on Guernsey's top political committee.

Deputy Haley Camp said she was the right person for the job, following the announcement Policy and Resources' (P&R) Vice-President Gavin St Pier was set to resign from the committee after his arrest on Friday.

Deputy St Pier was arrested for the second time in under a year, this time under suspicion of misconduct in public office and offences related to the reform law.

St Pier and his wife, who was also arrested, have denied the allegations "categorically". They were both arrested in December under suspicion of harassment.

Following the announcement St Pier was set to resign from P&R and re-stand for the vacancy, former vice-president of the committee Deputy Mark Helyar urged St Pier to reconsider the decision which he said may have been made in "haste".

In a statement Camp said she was approaching the upcoming election to P&R with "a degree of healthy scepticism".

She said: "It appears likely that Deputy St Pier believes he already has the support to return to the position. However, in any democratic process, there should be a genuine choice."

Camp added that she wanted to make sure this post was filled through a competitive election.

"I do so in the full belief that I'm the right person for the job.

"What I would bring to P&R is a clean slate and, importantly, no baggage, allowing a full focus on the work ahead, rather than the weight of past decisions or ongoing questions."

The election could take place at the States meeting on 20 May, where there is very little other business to discuss.

Former Vice-President of P&R Helyar has ruled out running for the job, alongside Scrutiny Management Committee President Andy Sloan.

Sloan said: "The States isn't a jury, I think it's inappropriate of Gavin St Pier to seek a mandate in these circumstances.

"These are matters for due process, not a political vote."

Former P&R member John Gollop said he may consider running for the vacancy.

Camp said: "At a time like this, there is a strong case for new blood at the centre of government; fresh perspective, clear-thinking and a renewed focus on doing the basics well."

When asked whether she would support St Pier's bid to rejoin the committee, P&R President Lindsay de Sausmarez said her committee was not going to comment further.

On Saturday in a statement, she 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."

Vice-President of the Committee for Employment and Social Security Jayne Ozanne has said she would be interested in the vacancy on P&R.

In a statement she said: "I would see it as a major honour to serve on P&R, but would only want to do so if I was invited to do so as I think it is important that the committee are able to indicate their preferred candidate.

"I must say I am deeply concerned about how these unfortunate events are being perceived by those outside our island, particularly given our need to maintain our international standing and credibility.

"Given the level of uncertainty in the geo-political landscape, we must do all we can to ensure that 'Brand Guernsey' retains the international community's trust and respect so that we can weather the storms ahead."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.