The States Employment Board has confirmed it will be writing to the Government's Chief Executive to set out its position in relation to his second job at a UK real estate firm - but it is refusing to reveal what that letter says, including to Ministers.
It comes after Express revealed the stalemate between Chief Executive Charlie Parker and the Council of Ministers this morning.
Mr Parker has declined to voluntarily step down from his Non-Executive Director position at New River, but Ministers are maintaining that the role is "not compatible" with his duties as leader of the island's civil service.
The Chief Minister, who is also Chair of the SEB, provided an update this afternoon, saying: "The Council of Ministers, chaired by me, met yesterday with the Chief Executive to understand his position with New River, a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange. After listening to his comments, the Council continues to asset that the non-executive role is not compatible with his duties as Chief Executive at this time."
Senator John Le Fondré went on to emphasise, however: "The Council of Ministers is the political leadership of the Government and is not the employer of the Chief Executive. The Council also recognise that this is a matter between the Employer and the Chief Executive."
Pictured: Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré, who is Chair of the SEB.
Since then, the SEB says it has now met with Mr Parker.
In a short statement, the SEB said: "The States Employment Board chaired by the Vice-Chair Connétable Buchanan met with the Chief Executive today as his employer.
"We will be writing to him with our position. The letter is confidential.
"We will not provide any comment any further on this employment matter."
That confidentiality also extends to Ministers.
Reacting to the news, Children and Housing Minister Senator Sam Mézec tweeted that the letter was "so confidential that not even our 'democratic' government can see it."
So confidential that not even our "democratic" government can see it. https://t.co/9A3Un2836c
— Senator Sam Mézec (@SamMezecJsy) November 6, 2020
Assistant Minister for Education Jeremy Maçon tweeted that he understood that the public would find not knowing the letter's content "frustrating."
However, he added: "...proper Human Resources protocols must be followed. That’s a lesson learnt already.
"I won’t be commenting further either."
I know that it will be frustrating not knowing (I feel it too and I don’t know anything more either) but proper Human Resources protocols must be followed. That’s a lesson learnt already. I won’t be commenting further either. https://t.co/Yb86w0aBDN
— Deputy Jeremy Maçon (@DeputyMacon) November 6, 2020
The SEB is chaired by the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, who is facing a vote of no confidence triggered by the saga.
Vice-Chair is Constable Richard Buchanan, who sits alongside Treasury Minister Deputy Susie Pinel, and backbenchers Constable Deirdre Mezbourian and Deputy Graham Truscott.
Follow Express for updates...
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