Jersey travel expenses reviewed after £13k South Africa flights

Two years' worth of States of Jersey travel expenses will be reviewed after £13,000 was spent on two business class seats to South Africa.

Mike King, economic development's chief officer, and fellow civil servant Wayne Gallichan attended a mining conference.

Mr King has apologised unreservedly for the "error of judgement".

Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said an investigation would be carried out into the "exact circumstances of the recent trip" alongside the review.

He said the outcomes would be reported to the States Employment Board with the review made public, not any disciplinary discussions.

Mr Gorst said he understood the "public mood and frustration", but said it would be "wrong" to comment while the review was being carried out.

Currently, travel expenses are authorised by the chief officers of department - one of whom travelled to South Africa.

John Richardson, chief executive of the States, will be responsible for the review and investigation.

The chief minister made his comments in response to a question raised by Deputy Sam Mezec, of Reform Jersey, after a Jersey Evening Post report, external found the pair played golf after arriving in South Africa.

They had originally justified the expense of the flights on the need to start work immediately.

In response to other questions, Mr Gorst said publishing the States' travel expenses online in the future would be "the best approach".

He said he hoped this would start in a few months' time.