A STATES Senator has been accused of ‘political vandalism’ after an outspoken attack on Jersey’s competition authority.

Economic Development Minister Philip Ozouf said that Senator Ben Shenton – who branded the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority ‘useless’ yesterday – was employing ‘cheap shot politics’ and had failed to understand the issues. Senator Ozouf, who was instrumental in setting up the JCRA from 2000 to 2005, said that the body had already gone a long way in helping Jersey consumers and said calls for its budget to be cut by £250,000 were ridiculous. Senator Shenton made his comments in a proposition lodged yesterday. He described the JCRA as a ‘sledgehammer with a gold-plated handle and a rubber head – very expensive and rather useless’. He said: ‘I can think of nothing positive that they have done for the Jersey consumer. They are an overpriced luxury.’ But Senator Ozouf pointed out that the JCRA had already brought in regulations which outlawed cartels, price fixing and unfair business practises.