LAST night’s Deputy nomination meeting in St Peter was almost stopped as the alleged smear campaign against Deputy Collin Egré dominated proceedings.

St Peter Constable Tom du Feu warned at the start of the meeting that he would not stand for talk on the speculation, but Deputy Egre’s proposer and seconder ignored the warning. Things got so heated that at one point a parishioner jumped out of his seat and shouted ‘Mr Constable!’ and Mr du Feu said that he would adjourn the meeting if he heard any more on the subject.

Last week Mr du Feu was forced to arrange a clear-the-air meeting after Deputy Egré’s campaign team were told that senior honorary police officers had allegedly passed on untrue allegations about him. These allegations were denied by Chef de Police, Centenier Malcolm L’Amy.

Last night, Deputy Egré’s proposer, CI Co-operative Society chief executive Jim Hopley, said: ‘The rubbish that has been going around has no substance. It is just rumour. May the electors make their judgment and select a candidate they are comfortable with.’ Seconder Jonathan Walsh added that there was a fraction of society ‘hell-bent on tainting’ the States Member’s reputation by spreading unfounded rumours. He added that there had been ‘Chinese whisper gossip’.

Julie Rabet is standing against Deputy Egré in the forthcoming election.

• Picture: Deputy Egré’s proposer, Jim Hopley, addresses last night’s meeting. Picture by David Ferguson (00599548)

• Nominations: Click here