THE recently retired St John Constable, Mike Touzel, has become the parish’s new Procureur, as a result of a contested election held last night.

He received 251 votes and roads committee member Alan Poignand received 114 votes.The total votes cast represented 22.26 per cent of the parish electorate and there were two spoilt papers.Mr Touzel was the first Procureur to be elected since a change in the law 12 months ago, which means the same rules apply for the contested election of a Procureur as for a Constable, with a nominations meeting, electoral campaign, polling day and declaration of the winner by a Jurat.He will serve as a Procureur with another former Constable, Carl Hinault.

Mr Touzel succeeded him as Constable in December 2000 and stepped down last month for health reasons.

He has been succeeded by Richard Dupré, the retiring Procureur, whose own term of office had finished.Mr Poignand was ill and was represented at the parish hall for the results by his son, Richard.Mr Touzel said he was, of course, pleased at the result, but he wanted to express his sympathy and best wishes to his opponent for a full and speedy recovery from his illness.The returning officer was Jurat Roy Bullen.

Mr Touzel will be sworn in by the Royal Court tomorrow morning.