The vice-president of the Senate has retired after nine years in the Upper House, the Governor announced yesterday.

John Rankin said James Jardine, an independent senator, had told him in June he wanted to step down.

Mr Rankin added: “Mr Jardine was appointed to the Senate in 2011 and became its vice-president in 2017.

“On behalf of myself and my predecessors as Governor, I would take this opportunity to thank Mr Jardine for his distinguished service to the Senate and the wider Legislature as one of the Governor’s independent appointees.”

Mr Rankin added: “I know that Mr Jardine carried out his duties in an always-thoughtful manner based on careful analysis of the issues before him.

“I am sure he will be much missed by his former colleagues on the Senate and I offer him every best wish for the future.”