Exclusive: Jersey politician asks 'Was I denied promotion because I’m pregnant?'

A Jersey politician fears she missed out on promotion to a vacant Assistant Minister role in government because she is pregnant.Speaking exclusively to ITV News, Deputy Jess Perchard says she was rejected for a vacant Assistant Education Minister position after showing an interest, and was offered no interview or clear explanation for the decision.The Education Minister, Deputy Jeremy Maçon, has refused to comment on whether her pregnancy was a factor, adding his choice of Assistant Ministers is based on their existing expertise.

Deputy Perchard says she is left with more questions than answers: "Is it because? Is it because? Rather than knowing well I didn't tick that box. It's frustrating."Deputy Perchard, who represents St Saviour No. 3 district and is an Assistant Environment Minister, wrote to the Education Minister on 10 February to express an interest in the Assistant Education Minister role.

She highlighted her previous job as a secondary school teacher and the degree in Education she gained at Cambridge as well as specific areas where she thought she would be an asset.

On the 1 March - the day Deputy Jeremy Maçon announced Deputies Scott Wickenden and Trevor Pointon would instead be his assistants, he sent a short reply saying he was looking for a "generalist". Deputy Perchard then replied asking for feedback on why she was rejected, but never heard back.

Deputy Perchard says a reason for speaking out is to highlight the lack of formal structures for politicians when applying for roles, whereas such systems may be in place for ordinary employees.

She also believes speaking out during the week of International Women’s Day and at a time efforts are underway to improve diversity in Jersey’s parliament are important.

She says that whilst she is on maternity leave, the government could "provide a proxy in the interim or someone else will step up and act in that role" but that basic structure "doesn't exist in politics".

In a statement to ITV News, Deputy Maçon chose not to respond to a specific question of whether Deputy Perchard’s pregnancy was a factor.

Deputy Maçon went on to express that he was looking for generalists and that he had "offered to meet the Deputy to discuss any individual workstreams she would like to see progressed."

He says: "As Minister for Children and Education I have a wide-ranging portfolio which requires significant daily political oversight. I have appointed Deputy Pointon with political oversight for CAMHS."