Day two for deputy decision

Thursday 20 November 2014

A verdict is expected later today in the contested election of Deputy Scott Wickenden in St Helier. Two of the failed candidates have challenged his recent election to the States, claiming that one of his nominators didn't live in the right district.

The case began yesterday in the Island's Royal Court, but adjourned late yesterday afternoon without a decision.

Commissioner Julian Clyde-Smith is sitting with the most senior Jurat and Lieutenant Bailiff, Jill Clapham, along with Geoffrey Fisher, and it's expected they will reach their decision later on today. 

On election day in October, Deputy Wickenden polled 476 votes, coming in the final place of the three successful Deputy candidates, behind newcomer Russell Labey (811 votes) and sitting Deputy Judy Martin (946 votes). 

He knocked former Deputy Nick Le Cornu out of the States; at the start of the campaign Mr. Le Cornu had controversially accused a fellow politician, Deputy Kristina Moore, of faking her recovery from cancer, in order to seek re-election. After being kicked out on election night, he claimed his failure was a political assassination led by the Editor of the Jersey Evening Post. 

Mr Le Cornu, along with fellow candidate Gino Risoli who came bottom of the poll with 192 votes, later challenged Deputy Wickenden's election on the basis that his nomination form, which had been accepted by the Town Hall, included a signature from someone who didn't live in the right district.

The full result in the election was:

Kerrigan, Shannen – 355

Labey, Russell – 811 (elected)

Le Cornu, Nick – 311

Martin, Judy – 946 (elected)

Risoli, Gino – 192

Wickenden, Scott – 476 (elected)

The Royal Court will now decide if the election should stand, or be re-run.