Commissioner for Standards Investigations.

REPORT

In  July  2026  the  Commissioner  for  Standards  provided  the  new  Privileges  and Procedures  Committee  (the  Committee)  with  Reports  outlining  her  findings  into investigations  she  had  completed  which  concerned  two  former  Members  of  the Assembly. These investigations had commenced during the time that they were both still in office, related to matters which had arisen whilst they were elected Members and were concluded during the period leading up to the election.

The Committee recognised that this was a highly unusual situation and one which had never arisen previously. Ordinarily a summary would be published in respect of non- breaches  (this  has  been  the  Committee's  usual  process  since  2025)  and  the  full Commissioner's report would be made public in relation to a breach. The fact that both reports related to individuals who were no longer Members required the Committee to determine whether it was appropriate to still publish the outcomes and, having regard to Data Protection considerations and the wider public interest, it has concluded that it is.

The Committee is mindful that Members are subject to the Code of Conduct throughout the entirety of their term of office and they remain in public office until their successors are sworn in after Election Day. In reaching its decision it reflected on the principles of transparency and accountability, noting concerns that not publishing outcomes which relate to complaints made in the last few months of a person's term, could give rise to a lack of regard for the Code of Conduct during that same period. It is also important not to inadvertently signal to Members and complainants that any such matters raised in the last few months of a Member's term of office had been minimised or obscured. If someone complains about a States Member, even in the last few weeks of their term of office, it is only right that the complaint should be investigated. Whatever the outcome, the public must be assured that Members remain accountable for their actions whilst they are representing Islanders. That is how we build trust.

Under Standing Order 158(1)(e) and 158(3) the Committee is not obliged to publish the Commissioner for Standards' full Reports, but it may report its opinion on the outcome of the investigations to the States instead either in writing or via a statement. The Committee  has  consequently  decided  that  the  following  short  summaries  of  the investigations should be published.

One complaint was against former Deputy Moz Scott alleging she breached the Code of Conduct through repeated comments made during online exchanges with a member of the public.

Following investigation, the Commissioner concluded that there was no breach of the Code of Conduct, finding that the comments formed part of protected political speech. The Privileges and Procedures Committee, as the States Body responsible for enforcing  the  Code  of Conduct  for  Members  and  promoting  high  standards amongst Assembly Members, agrees that there was no breach.

The other investigation by the Commissioner for Standards concerned two separate complaints made against former Deputy Philip Ozouf . The cases were investigated together in accordance with the provisions of the pre-February 2026 Code of Conduct

R.168/2026

3

for Elected Members. Both complaints were upheld and it was considered that Mr. Ozouf had breached the Code of Conduct.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee, as the States Body responsible for enforcing the  Code  of  Conduct  for  Members  and  promoting  high  standards amongst Assembly Members, agrees that there were breaches of the Code, but is mindful that Mr. Ozouf has ceased to be a Member of the States Assembly, therefore no further action will be taken, and the matter is considered closed.

While  supporting  the  Committee's  decision,   Deputy  C.S.  Alves  of  St.  Helier Central, Chair requested that it be noted that her preference would have been for the full Report to be published where a breach had occurred. Deputy K.M. Wilson of  St.  Clement  declared  an  interest  and  took  no  part  in  the  Committee's consideration of either complaint.

R.168/2026