Government admits £36,000 was contributed to George Carteret statue
Jersey’s government has admitted that it, and other public bodies, contributed more than £36,000 to fund a controversial statue in St Peter, despite previously saying it had given no money.
The statue of former Bailiff and slave trader George Carteret is the focal point of a debate about monuments to people with questionable pasts.
In a formal response to Assistant Culture Minister, Deputy Montfort Tadier, on 30 June, the Treasury Minister, Deputy Susie Pinel, said “no government grant was given to fund the statue”.
But in an email to all States Members on 3 July, seen by ITV News, she apologises for the false information being presented to the States Assembly.
She said: “I am writing to inform you that it is with a sincere apology that I am circulating an amended answer.”
In it, she reveals the Government of Jersey “made a contribution” of £15,000, adding that “no specific due diligence appears to have been undertaken”.
A further £20,000 was made by the government-owned Jersey Airport as part of the “Percentage for Art” scheme, with £1,114.50 coming from a private developer via the Planning and Building Services Department, also as part of that same scheme.
The statue to George Carteret was erected in 2014 to celebrate his contribution to Jersey, but omitted any mention of his prolific links to the global slave trade.
A forthcoming States Assembly debate will determine whether a commission should be set up to consider the future of the statue, and other landmarks with links to historical wrongdoings.