About Darius Pearce

Darius James Pearce (born 23 February 1972) is a local author, businessman and human rights activist

Early life

Darius was born in the City of London and educated at De La Salle College, Jersey. In 1997 he graduated from the University of Plymouth, where he read politics and criminal justice.

Writer, artist, musician

Darius began his writing career on the BBC Jersey website, focusing on lobbying elected representatives. He gained prominence as the editor of Progress Jersey, where he highlighted local issues for the community and facilitated discussions that informed local representatives before votes. He later became editor of Parish Matters, a newsletter for Saint Helier residents, and launched the Jersey Libertarian blog in 2010.

In 2022, Darius received the 'Outstanding Debut' award in the Koestler Awards for his short story "In Justice." He also showcased his pastel artwork at London's South Bank in 2022 and again in 2024, winning commendations for "Dover Sunrise" and "Under the Rainbow." Additionally, under the stage name King Darius, he collaborated with a group of artists to record an album available on Spotify titled "His Musical Productions"

[2022 Koestler Awards (see p.41)] [2024 Koestler Awards (see p. 59)] [Finding Rhythms]

Business life

Darius worked in Jersey's finance industry but became disillusioned with the work, describing it as "soul destroying" due to the focus on enriching the wealthy at the expense of others. In 1998, he founded Jersey Online Traders, which incorporated in 2000. In 2001, the company acquired Space-Craft, which operated in St Helier until 2003.

Also in 1998 he was appointed trustee to a family trust and made significant personal contributions, including his shares in Jersey Online Traders Limited, all compensation he had received in 2009 arising from police misfeasance in 2007, and a business he established in Jersey's Central Market. As a trustee and director, he went on to acquire several businesses, including Thaddeus Jewellers, Jersey Coin Company in 2016, and Next Level Gaming in 2017. However, it was this period of success that was later used against him in 2019. [Wayback Machine - Jersey Online Traders Limited]

Political office

Darius first became involved in Jersey politics as a leading member of the Centre Party, where he served as treasurer until his resignation in May 2007. He ran unsuccessfully in the 2005 elections for Jersey's States Assembly, contesting the Deputy positions in the St Helier 3 and 4 districts. In these elections, each voter could cast four votes, and Darius received 459 votes, or 26.6% of the total.

Later in 2005, he was elected to the regional government of the Parish of St Helier, where he served in multiple roles, including as a roads inspector and a member of the parish accounts committee.

Political lobbyist

Darius was a founding member of Progress Jersey, a charity and pressure group aimed at increasing electoral turnout and voter involvement through its news and community website, which Darius edited. One of the group's major focuses was the enactment of the Human Rights (Jersey) Law 2000, which faced delays in consent from the Privy Council until 2008 due to concerns about Jersey's non-compliance with international human rights standards. 

Progress Jersey played a pivotal role in many key debates of the time, including:

• Submissions on the introduction of Abuse of Trust legislation.
• Criticism of proposed changes to Jersey's taxation system, which were later contested by the EU in 2009.
• Advocacy for a business premises tax, which led to the development of the Blampied proposal.
• Support for social housing, civil partnerships, legitimacy laws, and overseas aid.

Their direct campaigning was particularly influential in the withdrawal of an initial proposition to lower the age of homosexual consent, which was reintroduced only after amendments that added provisions related to abuse of trust. In 2007, Progress Jersey led a successful campaign against the Crime (Disorderly Conduct and Harassment) Law, which was withdrawn after concerns that it would overly extend police powers.

The campaign for party politics

Darius believed that party politics was a better way to serve Jersey's community and approached the UK Conservative Party with the aim of re-establishing a Channel Islands branch of Conservatives Abroad. Later that year, the Centre Party rebranded as the Jersey Conservative Party, but the move faced strong opposition from established politicians and lawyers, many of whom saw themselves as conservatives.

The controversy surrounding the formation of the Jersey Conservative Party led to a complaint to the Press Complaints Commission over inaccuracies and misleading statements in an article. The matter was resolved through mediation, and the debate expanded to include the role of political parties in Jersey's revised constitution. The Jersey Evening Post (JEP) editor assured fair treatment in the future.

However, the JEP later launched a campaign to promote the UK activities of former JEP owner and Jersey's Chief Minister, Frank Walker. One particularly contentious issue involved the publication of a doctored image that appeared to place Walker between UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Northern Ireland's Ian Paisley, giving the false impression of a meeting between the three. While the JEP later misreported Darius's comments, suggesting he had accused the image of being faked, Darius had never made such an accusation. This raised concerns about the paper's bias in favor of Frank Walker.

The controversy surrounding political party formation in Jersey eventually led to the introduction of legislation requiring a register of political parties and the inclusion of party names on Jersey ballot papers.

Shortly after, Darius, along with Stuart Syvret, became targets of criminal proceedings, which reinforced his disillusionment with politics. He came to believe that the political system was a mere theatre, with those in power using unfair means to maintain control.

Discrimination in taxation

In 2011, following a complaint by Darius an investigation was launched into the conduct of rates assessors for the parish of Saint Helier as it emerged that favourable property rates had been offered only to certain property owners.

Goods and Services Tax 

Between 2013 and 2017 he was involved in court proceedings relating to a suspected unlawful application of the Goods and Services Tax ("GST") to rental payments on properties owned by the Public of the Island of Jersey. The Court intitially rejected Pearce's, however, a letter to the editor in the Jersey Law Review indicated that whilst Pearce had not been successful in his appeal, the constitutional argument which was the basis of the appeal was correct.

Political Dissident

After Darius was arrested in October 2007, imprisoned for 31 days, and later acquitted, he received compensation in 2009 for misfeasance by the States of Jersey Police, though the exact amount was confidential.

This experience led Darius to shift focus from politics to the law as a means of fostering change. His growing disillusionment with the political system culminated in him nominating Steven Levy as a candidate for the States Assembly, arguing that Levy's confirmed history of mental illness made him an ideal candidate, possibly reflecting Darius's critique of the system.

Watch the Stevie Ocean campaign video blog here