CHIEF Minister Frank Walker, who is now fighting for political survival against a barrage of criticism following the Waterfront debate fiasco, has defended his actions in the events leading up to it.

Senator Walker has learnt today that he is facing a personal vote of censure and a vote of no confidence in him and his Council of Ministers.

Other developments include a move to bring down the political side of the WEB board and for all of the financial interests of anyone involved in the Waterfront or the £330 million Esplanade development deal to be made public.

Speaking from Bermuda, where he is on holiday, Senator Walker defended his actions in the saga, in particular his decision to rely on the word of developers Harcourt when inquiring about the Las Vegas lawsuit.

He said that he believes everything was done to investigate Harcourt developments before the States debated the biggest financial venture the Island has ever seen.

Last week the States approved the financial deal, which could give Harcourt the go-ahead to develop the Esplanade.

But this week the JEP revealed that three States ministers, including the Chief Minister, were e-mailed information about the lawsuit against the company, three weeks before the debate.

Senator Walker said that they did not act on the information because they were given 100 per cent assurance by Harcourt that the lawsuit did not exist.

This week Harcourt apologised for not informing Senator Walker, WEB and the States when they found out there was a lawsuit against the developers in Nevada over the $800m Sullivan Square project.

Senator Walker said: ‘I think at the time it was quite appropriate for me to assume that having got full written assurances that the position was the position. As we now know it turns out to be different, which is why I went back to the States and apologised. What exactly would you suggest I should have done?’

When asked should he have got a second opinion, Senator Walker said: ‘That would be extremely unusual. Having been given a written assurance from Harcourt themselves that there was no court action I had no reason to disbelieve it. I was also given that information by WEB, who of course in turn had been given assurances by Harcourt.

‘I had no reason to disbelieve that at all. As soon as I became aware that there was indeed a court action my first action was to stand up and apologise and make it clear for the fact that I had unknowingly and unwittingly misled them.’

He added: ‘I have done everything that I should have done and I have kept the States fully informed with all the information that I had.’

On the evening of the Waterfront debate last week, the JEP contacted the attorney representing the Las-Vegas developers who e-mailed a copy of the lawsuit which said that it was filed on 30 April.

Asked whether civil servants or WEB could not also have checked this information, Senator Walker said: ‘You can’t blame the civil servants here, for goodness sake. We were all assured by people who should have been in a position to give us a factual scenario. We were all assured of the position which I informed the States.

‘Are you suggesting that every time we get an assurance by a third party we should double and triple check it?’
Senator Walker added: ‘As far as Nevada is concerned, I took every reasonable step to establish the information and was assured from all parties that no action had been filed.’

A group of States Members have formally asked for the entire Waterfront debate to be brought back to the House so that it can be debated again following reports of the lawsuits.

Senator Walker said: ‘My intention when I get back is that during or before the rescindment debate States members will be fully in possession of all the facts and what action will be taken.’