HEALTH Minister Jim Perchard has admitted swearing at Senator Stuart Syvret in the States last week.
Despite initially denying the outburst during last week’s sitting, Senator Perchard has, after being challenged by the JEP, confirmed that he uttered obscenities to Senator Syvret. And after being told about recordings made at a press conference late last year, the Island’s Health Minister has also admitted previously telling Senator Syvret to ‘slit his wrists’.
Last week Senator Syvret stopped States question time mid-flow and claimed that the minister had whispered: ‘You are full of f*****g s**t and why don’t you go and top yourself, you bastard?’ in his ear.
Senator Perchard, pictured, replied at the time, telling Deputy Bailiff Michael Birt and other Members: ‘I absolutely refute that.’ But after several States Members sitting nearby confirmed to the JEP that they had heard him use ‘inappropriate language’, Senator Perchard has now admitted that he did swear but insists that Senator Syvret misquoted him.
He would neither confirm nor deny whether he told Senator Syvret to ‘top himself’ during the outburst. But Senator Perchard admitted previously telling him to ‘slit his wrists’ after he was informed of a JEP recording after a press conference last year at the release of the Howard League report into penal reform.
