Le Tocq should resign as a Guernsey deputy says Lindsay de Sausmarez

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez says there is only one option to remove him, and that would be after sentencing in late January.

Deputy de Sausmarez shares the shock and anger of many in Guernsey at the extent of Le Tocq's offending.

The 61 year old former senior pastor of the Church on the Rock on the Bridge admitted all 15 counts against him of possessing multiple indecent images of children and sending one, plus several indecent messages, on his phone:

"All the people that have put their trust in him, and that's what has really, really knocked me sideways.

"Lives have been turned upside down by this and so many other people are really angry, and understandably so."

"Having heard some of the details of the offences, it's devastating, and I'm so heartbroken for the people that are most affected by this, most importantly the victims, his family, his church community."

Following his guilty pleas, attention now turns to Le Tocq's political position.

He is still as serving deputy and is being paid, and has been throughout, since his arrest in July, a salary of around £50,000 a year of public money.

Deputy de Sausmarez told Island FM she thinks he should do the right thing, and resign now:

"If Jonathan le Tocq decides to resign, or is persuaded to resign, and in my personal opinion I think that would be the most preferable option.

"I would strongly encourage him to consider that option, then that would be the most expedient way to achieve that outcome."

The alternative, she says, is for him to be removed:

"This circumstance has been one of several where we've realised that we just don't have the rules in place that have ever anticipated this situation.

"To the best of my understanding, there is no mechanism by which we can stop his pay, so really it is about removing him from the Assembly if he chooses not to resign."

Deputy de Sausmarez says the Law Officers can force him to leave the States:

"It is likely to be a petition brought by the Law Officers, in the event that his resignation hasn't been submitted, and assuming his sentence is six months or more."

Deputy Le Tocq has served as a politician over several terms and for two years, between 2014 and 16, was Guernsey's chief minister.

He has since been the Foreign Affairs lead, making multiple trips abroad each month as the political face of Guernsey.

He will need to be replaced and deputy De Sausmarez says the rules governing a by-election are clear, and, it would not cost anywhere near the £500,000 figure that has been mentioned:

"The States Assembly and Constitution Committee were of the view at that time, (September '25) that a by election would not be nearly that expensive.

"Ultimately, we don't know, but I'm sure all endeavours will ensure it's brought in at a reasonable cost."

Within an hour or so of the Le Tocq guilty plea, P&R vice president deputy Gavin St Pier sent out a personal statement, saying he and his wife had been arrested by police and questioned over an alleged instance of harrassment.

He strongly denies any wrongdoing and the two were released without charge.

Deputy de Sausmarez says it has been an extraordinary 24 hours:

"I couldn't foresee any of this, it's yet another shock that came out of the blue.

"It is something that P&R and I will have to discuss, but I'm currently representing Guernsey at the British Irish Council." (in Wales).