Clarity sought over UK-based States director

A politician has raised concerns over how a senior civil servant was allowed to work for the States of Guernsey despite not living on the island.

Gary Salter, who was the director of population management, has since left his role after he was criticised for being based in the UK.

Deputy Rob Curgenven submitted questions under the States rule 14 procedure asking whether the Committee for Home Affairs knew where Salter lived and sought future assurances over where senior posts are based.

Committee President Marc Leadbeater said he did not yet have the full details of how long Salter had lived off island but he believed it had been a "considerable amount of time".

Curgenven said he submitted the formal rule 14 questions, which must receive a response from the committee president within 15 days, after not receiving a straight answer on whether Home Affairs knew Salter lived off island.

His questions asked whether the arrangement was ever formally approved and what the oversight of that agreement was.

Leadbeater said his committee had only become aware of the arrangement "during the last few months".

"Once we became aware, we raised our concerns with officers," he said.

"I think there are questions that need answering and I'm hopeful they will be."

Leadbeater added that like other committees, Home Affairs was "not sighted on employment-related matters and has no influence".

States chief executive Boley Smillie said a temporary replacement for the role had been approved and the department would be reviewed by an internal audit team.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.