01 June 2021
It is with great personal sadness that I must announce the death of our friend and colleague, Connétable Len Norman, the Minister for Home Affairs.
Len was a true Jersey statesman; absolutely dedicated to his Island and to his Parish.
As the longest standing States Member, he served our Island as Deputy, Senator and Connétable of St Clement for more than 37 years. He provided a steady hand as President of the Education Committee, President of the Housing Committee, President of the Social Security Committee, Chairman of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, President of the Harbours and Airport Committee, and Vice-President of the Special Committee on the Composition and Election of the States. He was also Chairman of the Jersey branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
I have known Len professionally for many years - from the days he worked alongside my late father in the Harbours and Airport Committee - and I was delighted when he agreed to join the Council of Ministers in 2018 as Home Affairs Minister. Unsurprisingly, he quickly proved himself exceptionally able, astute, hard-working, and willing to tackle the most difficult challenges within his Department.
Those who worked alongside Len, or sat with him in the States Assembly, knew him for his dry sense of humour, but also his kindness and sharp intellect.
He will be missed not only by his Ministerial colleagues and States Members, but all those officials and volunteers he worked with across his roles in the States of Jersey, and charitable bodies, over the past four decades, particularly as President of the Jersey Friends of Antony Nolan (Bone Marrow Trust).
My thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.
May he rest in peace.
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