A LETTER from Jersey’s chief minister seeking an apology from this newspaper for critical comments made about the investigation into child abuse there reinforces the view that the enquiry is floundering.
From around 160 individuals who came forward to give evidence of abuse, police were able to draw up an initial list of 80 potential suspects. That has been reduced but the level of arrests and prosecutions has been surprisingly low. Add the high profile claims of case blocking and prosecution interference and it is difficult to see how anyone can have confidence in the process.
Unfortunately, the chief minister’s own letter further strengthens that unease when he talks about ‘alleged’ victims. There was a high level of corroborative statements from those who came forward, plus inexplicable remains and bloodstains, yet the harrowing accounts the witnesses gave are, apparently, still regarded with suspicion.
Of more concern, however, is the chief minister’s assertion that ‘the truth will eventually emerge’ and it will be very different from that presented by this newspaper.
Really, chief minister?
And would that truth be the version Jersey’s professional police are still trying to uncover or that as viewed by the Attorney General, who does not think officers have given him enough evidence on which to prosecute?
Perhaps it is the truth the chief minister’s committee of inquiry will establish at some distant time in the future when it asks searching questions like those he put to the States in March: How have the island’s children’s homes been run in recent decades?
Alternatively, it might be the truth which he has apparently already predetermined and which islanders and victims, alleged or otherwise, would dearly wish to know.
As we have argued before, these islands remain independent not just because they are well run but because they are seen to be well run. And having a visibly robust, impartial and credible judicial system is the cornerstone of that freedom.
Whatever the reality, confidence in Jersey’s has been damaged and, at least in the eyes of our offshore critics who regard the Channel Islands as one entity, that reflects badly on Guernsey, too.
Complaint reinforces abuse fears
A LETTER from Jersey’s chief minister seeking an apology from this newspaper for critical comments made about the investigation into child abuse there reinforces the view that the enquiry is floundering.
From around 160 individuals who came forward to give evidence of abuse, police were able to draw up an initial list of 80 potential suspects. That has been reduced but the level of arrests and prosecutions has been surprisingly low. Add the high profile claims of case blocking and prosecution interference and it is difficult to see how anyone can have confidence in the process.
Unfortunately, the chief minister’s own letter further strengthens that unease when he talks about ‘alleged’ victims. There was a high level of corroborative statements from those who came forward, plus inexplicable remains and bloodstains, yet the harrowing accounts the witnesses gave are, apparently, still regarded with suspicion.
Of more concern, however, is the chief minister’s assertion that ‘the truth will eventually emerge’ and it will be very different from that presented by this newspaper.
Really, chief minister?
And would that truth be the version Jersey’s professional police are still trying to uncover or that as viewed by the Attorney General, who does not think officers have given him enough evidence on which to prosecute?
Perhaps it is the truth the chief minister’s committee of inquiry will establish at some distant time in the future when it asks searching questions like those he put to the States in March: How have the island’s children’s homes been run in recent decades?
Alternatively, it might be the truth which he has apparently already predetermined and which islanders and victims, alleged or otherwise, would dearly wish to know.
As we have argued before, these islands remain independent not just because they are well run but because they are seen to be well run. And having a visibly robust, impartial and credible judicial system is the cornerstone of that freedom.
Whatever the reality, confidence in Jersey’s has been damaged and, at least in the eyes of our offshore critics who regard the Channel Islands as one entity, that reflects badly on Guernsey, too.
Article posted on 9th September, 2008 - 2.56pm