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The Infrastructure Minister has resigned and officially lodged a vote of no confidence in the Chief Minister – accusing her of a "complete lack of integrity" and "woeful lack of leadership skill".
In an explosive report outlining why he was making an official bid to topple Deputy Kristina Moore, Deputy Tom Binet described the past 18 months serving in her government as a “depressing affair for many close to the centre of power” which had seen many “heady promises... [fail] to materialise”.
His argument focused primarily on the departure of former CEO Suzanne Wylie, over which he claimed the Chief Minister had been “less than honest”.
He also pointed to her “strong, unwavering” support for the recently-reprimanded Health Minister, whose attitude towards the new hospital he described as “shameful” and whose decision to extend the contract of the Health Board Chair led to the resignation of former Assistant Chief Minister Andy Jehan.
Deputy Binet said the decision to bring the motion – which is backed by Assistant Health Minister Rose Binet, who is also understood to have resigned, and Deputies Mary Le Hegarat and Andy Howell – had not been "taken lightly" or without consideration for the "feelings" of the Chief Minister.
However, he said that, "if Jersey is to face an uncertain and challenging future successfully", the apparent lack of leadership "needs to be corrected without further delay".
When government CEO Suzanne Wylie resigned – and in the aftermath of her departure – the Chief Minister was not honest about what actually happened, Tom Binet alleged.
According to the Infrastructure Minister, Kristina Moore "failed to be objective, open or honest" when she suggested that "Ms Wylie was leaving in order to be closer to her family, rather than that being a consequence of the real reason".
However, Deputy Binet said that he witnessed "highly inappropriate treatment of the CEO (and others) by the Chief Minister", which he claimed led to "deterioration" in Ms Wylie's frame of mind.
He adds that, in "any other employment situation", the type of behaviour displayed by the Chief Minister would have "very likely led to firm disciplinary action".
"Sadly, power can be an intimidating force which suppresses personal courage in subordinates, especially when used incorrectly," he said.
While the saga saw Deputy Binet and the Chief Minister publicly butt heads earlier in 2023, Deputy Binet said such matters are "wholly indicative of an individual's culture or modus operandi".
Several of Deputy Binet's critiques revolved around the topic of Health, and the Chief Minister's tendency to side with the department's Minister, Karen Wilson.
Deputy Binet, who in his role of Infrastructure Minister has responsibility for the New Healthcare Facilities project, claimed that Deputy Moore had overall shown "poor and inconsistent leadership" when it came to upgrading and replacing the island's aging healthcare buildings.
He alleged that the Chief Minister had gone against his strategy of making as much information as possible public – instead making "a great deal of effort" to keep the project's cost a secret.
He added that Deputy Moore had gone against his advice and offered preferential treatment to Health Minister Karen Wilson, who he claimed had only ever shown "tepid acceptance" towards the New Healthcare Facilities Project, which he said was only obtained recently and "begrudgingly".
The Chief Minister's failure to sack her Health Minister over decisions that ultimately led to the resignation of her former long-term supporter and Assistant Chief Minister Andy Jehan was also called into question by Deputy Binet.
Constable Jehan tendered his resignation in November following a row over the newly-created HCS Advisory Board – an independent panel created to oversee the operations and transformation of Health.
This came after Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor, who recommended the creation of the board as part of his 2022 "Jersey Way" review and served as its initial Chair, had his contract renewed instead of a new Chair being recruited, as had originally been planned.
In his resignation letter, Mr Jehan had also expressed concerns around the cost of the board and the appointment of a former senior manager of the Health Department to serve as a non-executive director on the board.
Deputy Binet alleged that the Chief Minister had found it easier to let a "highly capable and trustworthy supporter" go than to get rid of the Health Minister.
In what he described as "yet another example of the Chief Minister's poor judgement and lack of leadership", Deputy Binet complained that Deputy Moore refused to stand up to two States Members who behaved inappropriately – one of whom being the Health Minister.
In December, Deputy Wilson was found by the island's political watchdog to have "misused the power of [her] position" by spreading untruths about fellow States Members in a letter (pictured above).
Deputy Binet says the Chief Minister was aware of Deputy Wilson's behaviour as it was happening but didn't do anything about it.
Similarly, when then-Chair of the Health Scrutiny Panel Geoff Southern faced a no confidence vote in February, Deputy Binet said Deputy Moore "stepped back completely and recommended to her Council of Ministers that they abstain".
Deputy Binet's proposition hints at even more behind-the-scenes drama around the £120 million Les Sablons redevelopment on Broad Street.
In October, Assistant Environment Minister Hilary Jeune vetoed the project – prompting the Chief Minister to take the unusual step of publicly expressing her disappointment in her colleague's decision.
Following a successful legal challenge, developers Le Masurier were finally given the green light – by Deputy Binet – to build the development.
in his proposition, Deputy Binet spares few words for Les Sablons, simply writing that the issue "was personalised rather than being dealt with procedurally".
"Enough said, perhaps," he added.
In a previous leadership bid, Kristina Moore herself brought a no confidence vote against previous Chief Minister John Le Fondré, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Deputy Binet said, however, that many longstanding States Members believed the "current situation to be worse than under the previous government", and a raft of undelivered promises had led to "very poor" morale in the Assembly.
Echoing Deputy Moore's promises during and after the election, in which she ran as part of the 'Better Way' coalition (pictured above), Deputy Binet said: "One has to ask whether 'the culture of the organisation that serves the public' has actually been 'restored'. And has our Chief Minister really displayed 'values and integrity' and 'put Jersey back on track'? Have we witnessed 'a smooth transition offering certainty, clarity and a vision that will make islanders proud again'?
"Has this Chief Minister acted 'with selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty'? Moreover, has the Chief Minister displayed 'leadership'?
"There can be no doubt that, along with the rest of the world, Jersey is heading into very difficult times, and we carry with us a number of specific problems, not least of which is demographic change. We are heavily reliant on the finance industry which, in turn, is reliant upon the stability of world markets – all of which are under various pressures, the likes of which we have not experienced in our lifetime.
"Good leadership will be vital if we are to meet the challenges that await."
If States Members agree to bring the usual lodging period forward, the vote of no confidence against Kristina Moore could be debated as soon as 16 January.
It is traditional that any individual bringing a no confidence motion should offer to step up as Chief Minister should they succeed. Deputy Binet confirmed tonight that this was something he was willing to do.
You can read the full vote of no confidence motion here.
More to follow…
INSIGHT: How united is Kristina Moore's Government?
Town Constable becomes CM's right-hand man after resignation reshuffle
Politicians demand answers after Assistant CM's parting shot at Health
Assistant CM takes aim at Health Minister in explosive resignation letter
IN FULL: Constable Andy Jehan's resignation letter... and the Chief Minister's response
Concerns over "apparent lack of Ministerial consensus" about hospital plans
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