THREE men who were to have formed a public inquiry into the awarding of a £4.3m contract to Connex to run the Island’s bus service have quit after a political row over their pay.
Solicitor David Lyons, retired businessman Brian Ahier and accountant Greg Branch have decided not to make up the inquiry team, blaming unwelcome disagreement about whether the panel should be paid.
The three were nominated in a proposition taken to the States by the Policy and Resources Committee.
The proposition said they should be paid but this was challenged by Deputy Roy Le Hérissier, who tabled an amendment suggesting they should undertake the work in an honorary capacity.
Policy and Resources president Senator Frank Walker said Deputy Le Hérissier’s intervention may well have done the Island ‘a great disservice’.
The three men have made it clear they are not making any form of protest but feel the Committee of Inquiry should be supported by States Members and not start its work in an atmosphere of controversy.
Senator Walker said it was ‘a matter of great regret’ that the men had withdrawn.
Article posted on 18th June, 2004 - 12.00am
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