Tuesday 30 October 2012

Savile-- Skeletons in the cupboard

It is a year ago that Jimmy Savile died but it is only recently that his evil deeds have emerged. It is interesting reading the comments from people who are currently holding senior positions in establishments where Savile worked such as at the BBC. In summary I quote some of the comments attributed to Lord Patten, Chairman of the BBC Trust who said;

“The filth piles up. As the Savile story continues to unfold, threatening and destroying reputations, three issues particularly trouble me. Above all else, I think of the victims of abuse – women and men – marooned for decades with terrible memories of physical and mental torment which, even when they had the courage to report them, no one apparently believed. Not the police. Not the newspapers. Not the BBC.

Did some turn a blind eye to criminality? Did some prefer not to follow up their suspicions because of this criminal’s popularity and place in the schedules? Were reports of criminality put aside or buried? Even those of us who were not there at the time are inheritors of the shame.”

Powerful stuff and one gets the feeling that he is trying to ensure that “no stone will be left unturned.” To this end the BBC Trust has established its own independent investigations which will run in parallel with the Police. Its purpose is to establish whether senior executives leaned on people to drop certain programmes and were false reports published to justify certain actions. BBC’s culture and practices will also be examined along with its child protection and whistle blowing polices.

Lord Patten has promised that the independent inquiries will not be a smokescreen behind which the BBC can hide. He added “They must and will get to the truth of what happened. The BBC must tell the truth and face up to the truth about itself, however terrible.”

Somehow the comments above are on pretty similar lines with those uttered in Jersey in 2008. By coincidence it is also a year ago that Verita published its Report along with proposals for and recommendations about commissioning a Committee of Inquiry into Jersey’s historical child abuse.

It should be noted that the Report only came about because on March 2nd last year following a 5 hour debate the States, by 37 votes to 11, with 1 abstention approved P19/2011 as amended. For the benefit of those who not acquainted with the reasons why Verita and more recently the Andrew Williamson Report have been published I will go back to March 2008. It was then when not only Jersey but the world became aware of the allegations of abuse to children in care in our “States run Institutions” with Haut de La Garenne in particular becoming the focus of world attention.

Like Lord Patten, the Chief Minister at that time Senator Walker, called for the truth to be exposed, no stone would be left unturned and no expense spared when seeking to achieve that goal. Quite understandably there were calls for an investigation or inquiry to run in parallel with the police to establish how such abuse could occur within the States’ run institutions. Unlike the BBC Trust, it was decided not to hold an independent investigation but the Chief Minister made a promise on 28th March 2008 to hold an inquiry if answers to 6 particular questions published in R27/2008 remained unanswered at the conclusion of the Police investigation.

When the police investigation got underway in March 2008 a whole catalogue of mishaps occurred along the way, including the unsavoury suspension of the Police Chief Officer and the dismissal of the former Health Minister which are well documented.

In December 2010 the Police announced that its investigation had ended however it was evident that there are still many unanswered questions. Although well over 150 individuals came forward alleging crimes against them, only 4 people have been prosecuted and no one in any capacity for the oversight of the children’s well being has been brought to task. Now that Jimmy Savile’s evil deeds have come to notice, what secrets are hidden in Jersey?

On 6th December 2010 a few days after the police announcement the Chief Minister of the day, Senator Le Sueur made an official apology and acknowledged that the care system that operated historically in the Island had failed some children in States’ residential care in a serious way.

In February 2011 the Council of Ministers published R8/2011 in which it set out the Council’s position in relation to a Committee of Inquiry into the historical child abuse. In simple terms it was of the view that nothing would be served by an inquiry, a line should be drawn and everyone should get on with their lives as if nothing had happened because lessons had been learnt.

There were a number of people including some States Members who like me were dissatisfied with the Council of Ministers conclusions. Soon afterwards Senator Le Gresley lodged P19/2011 which sought Members' support to request the Council of Ministers to reconsider its decision not to hold a Committee of Inquiry. Whilst I thought it was a commendable gesture, I felt it was a win, win proposition for the Council of Ministers. If Members voted against the proposition that would be the end of the matter. If they voted in favour and no matter how well supported, the Council of Ministers only had to consider its original decision but with no obligation to establish a Committee of Inquiry.

To enable Members to have the opportunity of a full debate and to consider the promise made by Senator Walker in March 2008 I lodged an amendment which asked members to consider whether they were content that the 6 questions posed in R27/2008 had been answered. If they were not then the questions should be considered by a Committee of Inquiry. Deputy Tadier added an amendment asking whether there was a consistent and impartial approach taken when deciding on which cases to prosecute; and was the process free from political influence or interference at any level?

When it came to voting on all 7 amendments, Deputy Tadier’s and 3 of mine were approved. Very importantly when it came to vote on Senator Le Gresley’s amended proposition, as mentioned above it was approved by 37 votes to 11.

It should be noted that among the 11 members who voted against the proposition were Senators Ozouf, Le Marquand and Maclean and Deputies Duhamel, Pryke and Gorst all are now current Ministers and I believe are obligated to carry out the wishes of the States. In the words of Lord Patten even though they were not there at the time they are the inheritors of the shame. That shame extends to each and every States Member for a promise made is a promise to be kept.

Following the States' decision, in September the Council of Ministers commissioned Verita to seek the views of interested parties about the purpose, manner and conduct of a Committee of Inquiry. Its report was submitted to the former Council of Ministers in November last year. Verita's report appears to tick all the boxes, it has been welcomed by the Care Leavers and other interested bodies. Unfortunately the Council of Ministers then commissioned Andrew Williamson to comment on Verita's Report which has not only caused further delay but was deemed by many to be a waste of money and an attempt to water down Verita's Recommendations.

It is now some 20 months since P19/2011 as amended was approved so why the procrastination, who are States Members protecting? Are there skeletons in the cupboards? Can't Members like Lord Patten "think of the victims of abuse – women and men – marooned for decades with terrible memories of physical and mental torment which, even when they had the courage to report them, no one apparently believed?" Don't our States Members have any feelings for those men and woman?

Chief Minister Gorst has stated that he wants to be sure that he gets it right and is shortly to lodge a proposition,. So far like his two predecessors he has failed to display the leadership expected of him. However he now has an opportunity to reclaim a few Brownie points by lodging a proposition in line with Verita's proposals. He must also produce a time line to ensure that the Committee of Inquiry is up and running by March next year.

Like the BBC our States must do its utmost to regain the public's trust and respect, justice delayed is justice denied. The promises made in March 2008 and the apology given in December 2010 are meaningless unless a full and open Committee of Inquiry is established without further delay. Again like the BBC the States must tell the truth and face up to the truth about itself, however terrible.

Paedophiles like Jimmy Savile only exist because people choose to turn a blind eye and in my book they are as guilty as the perpetrators and they too should be exposed and taken to task. I also believe that if States Members fail to establish a transparent Committee of Inquiry then they too are like the perpetrators.
















57 comments:

  1. Excellent stuff Bob. Just two comments.

    Firstly, it seems rather obvious but nevertheless I will point it out anyway. If our Council of Ministers, the Police and the Law Officers truly believe that everything that needed to be done has in fact been done and that there is nothing to fear from a full inquiry, then they should go full tilt in support of such an inquiry to show the world at large, the public of Jersey and particularly the victims of abuse that lessons truly have been learned. Furthermore, it would provide a proper platform to acknowledge the problems of the past openly and so ensure that such issues can never again arise. Yes, this would cost a good deal of money but what price justice and what price our true reputation? Of course, in reality there is a great deal to hide! The empty promises of Walker & Co. still echo in the corridors of power. The skeletons to which you refer are falling out of the cupboards. The current Chief Minister really has no option but to push for a full inquiry. If he does not, he will confirm that he is a puppet and that he cares not a jot about the people who elected him and who placed their faith in him. He would also be showing callous disregard for the suffering of the victims.

    Secondly, I hope that Lord Patten's promises will extend to the role of the BBC in Jersey. It is all too clear that the mainstream media have had (until recently) a stranglehold on the extent of information put into the public domain. With the growth of some excellent reporting by the non-professional bloggers, there is now a great deal of information (some would say evidence) available to ordinary folk in Jersey and worldwide which, in the complete absence of real contradiction by the mainstream media, demonstrates that the BBC (along with CTV and the JEP) have withheld vital information from the public. Some might go further and say that they have not only withheld information but have gone out of their way to present a one-sided campaign to support the authorities at the expense of the truth - and the victims. How is this any different to what the BBC have done in the UK? I could highlight the fact that the local BBC has had the statement that Graham Power made to the Wiltshire Police for over a year and I think I read somewhere that they were not acting on that for fear of legal repercussions. Again, is this not the kind of temerity that has allowed Savile and others to operate for so long in the UK (and allegedly over here)?

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    1. Thank you for your comments. It must be obvious to the Council of Ministers that they can not run or hide for ever. There will be an Inquiry but its terms of reference and its transpacency will be critical.

      I hope that the BBC will extend its investigation to Jersey, I agree with your comments re the Graham Power statement, don't know its problem is.

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  2. Bob,

    I think that the news report yesterday on the comments from Sir Roger Jones (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20120302) says a lot: it is one thing to be suspicious of people's motives and keep them away from children (as Children in Need did), but quite another to go out and accuse someone outright of criminal activity.

    We still do not have evidence which has been tested in a court of law that proves the guilt of Jimmy Savile. We are (I think) convinced that the amount of smoke precludes the possibility that there is no fire; even so, the fact that dead men cannot sue for libel is a significant factor in what it has been possible to say.

    The facts that in the Jersey situation some abusers are still alive and capable of legal action, the number of complaints is proportionally smaller, and the nature of local court practice is excessively combative - all of these might give anyone standing up for the rights of the abused pause for thought.

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    1. As Jimmy Savile is no longer be with us may it help his victims to come forward. One of the disadvantages of living in a small community is that people have to think twice or even more before making allegations. It may not be the fear of legal action but the fear of being marginlised that concerns many people. That is the price for living in a small community.
      .

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    2. To Anon, above

      Could I ask you to elaborate on what you means when you say "the nature of local court practice is excessively combative?". Do you mean resistant? If so, what would you regard as your main references for a comment of the nature?

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  3. Excellent posting Bob.

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  4. Lord Patten has promised that the independent inquiries will not be a smokescreen behind which the BBC can hide. He added “They must and will get to the truth of what happened. The BBC must tell the truth and face up to the truth about itself, however terrible

    BBC Jersey must also face its truth. It has let the people of Jersey down with its biased conservative view. They have been more worried about the party invite than real truth. They, along with the other outlets are guilty. They know it and we know it.

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    1. As mentioned above, I hope the investigation will extend to Jersey.

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  5. I fully understand what anon says at 13.55 but we cannot simply accept the genuine and understandable fear that besets abuse victims. It is up to our elected representatives to start representing all the electorate, especially (in this case) the abuse victims.

    Only a few States members have tried this in recent years, you being one. Without exception these have been vilified by other States members who want to continue to live the dream about Jersey somehow being an exception to all other communities in that nothing bad ever happens to our children. That dream has become a nightmare for the victims but our pig-headed politicians have consistently ignored their plight and made them into sacrificial offerings in the reputation protection racket, along with all those who have stood up for their interests.

    The media is equally guilty in this respect. It is their duty - especially the BBC in light of its Charter - to challenge politicians without fear or favour.

    Too much time and money have been spent on shooting messengers and decrying victims and none at all on seeking justice.

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  6. Sorry. My last comment should have referred to anon's comment at 11.52 not 13.55.

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  7. Dear bob, you are a man of integrity, I was abused all of my whole 18 years in Jersey in a home and at my home then when I left the Island, I don't seek money, I seek the day I can stand up and tell those who will listen 'what happened', I lost my childhood, I lost 18 years of my life as did my sister. I just want closure, I want people to listen and believe me. I am sure most of us feel exactly the same. I would not write this if this were not true, I have no reason too, I just want closure and to be able to when I get older put 'this to rest'. I will never rest, nor will Jersey until it 'listens' and gives people like me the chance to speak and tell it as it really was! no money can replace the 18 years of my childhood I lost and can never bring back! money is not what I want, only peace! peace that this never ever happens again....thank you Bob, for having the integrity to care. Thank you and bless you. x

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    1. Sorry to hear your lost childhood. What a lot of people fail to realise is that many victims like you want nothing more than closure and no amount of money can ever compensate for your lost childhood.

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  8. Dear Bob, all I have ever dreamt of is succeeding in my 'chosen' career path, of which I am very successful, I 'chose it' , the hardest part of all of this is that I can't 'choose' to have closure and need people like you to help people like me. I hope that makes sense, I said one day when I had made it I would be able to deal with all of this that my dream would be to put the story straight and for others to listen, listen to what happened to me and if others want to talk about it they can, I am ready now as I have made it, I swam! so many have not been so lucky! that others have the choice to do so also. I can't bring put back the clock but what I can do is keep pushing and sending out the message that I want to be listened to, and for those who listen to really listen and to take away something that will help others. I don't want anyone to go through what I went through. What hurts is that 'my Island' the place of my birth the place I should be proud of has let me down, time and time again, it's like a knife in my heart. Money is not going to heal me, so I don't want money for what I lost, I just want 'Jersey' to listen. x truly listen! surely Jersey owe me that!

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  9. Excellent posting - summed up the history and the current position with great clarity.

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    1. Thanks Tony,

      I suppose I had a head start as I was heavily involved and will keep knocking on the door until I get the answers I and others seek.

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  10. Can someone direct the Home Affairs Minister Senator Le Marquand to this posting and comments. Maybe and I mean just maybe he might understand what he has been a part of.

    The Culture of Concealment


    Why has he, like so many others, continued to cover-up for those above him? WHY?


    They, like so many, are part of the Culture of Concealment and are no better than the abusers. Why did he and others not want a Committee of Enquiry?

    The Toxic belly of Jersey

    rs

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    1. Hi Rico,

      I am sure that being a man with ingenuity you will ensure that Senator Le Marquand is sent my website. I will add that it is disappointing that Senator Le Marquand and his fellow Ministers have acted like King Canute but the tide of opinion will leave them with little alternative other than supporting a Committee of Inquiry. The question is, in what form will it be?

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  11. Bob.

    You're doing a great job here and the comments are intelligent and right to the point. Nobody should be able to say that the contents of this blog are sensationalist or anything other than sensible debate on an issue that is too important to ignore.

    I would go further and say that, not only must it not be ignored but those in positions of authority who want history to think of them as decent people should now actively pursue all avenues to ensure that the truth is exposed.

    The time for dealing with these matters in a relatively low key way was during the original investigation - i.e. before the powers-that-were back in 2008 decided on the disastrous cover-up course of action which has been so well exposed on the various blogs. There is now no option other than for our dirty washing to be aired in public so that the world can see that, at last, good sense and human decency has prevailed.

    You are someone who made many valuable contacts over your years as a politician. Now is the time to start using these contacts. You and other bloggers must continue to ensure that as wide an influential audience as possible is alerted to your blogs and urged to read them objectively. Yes, they will find some wild and unsubstantiated accusations from some commentators but the vast majority of the blog content is hard evidence and sensible debate which can no longer be passed off as conspiracy theory. There has been a conspiracy full stop!

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    1. Thank you for your constructive comments. I have always maintained that if Blogs are going to be credible the information they publish must be accurate, constructive and consistent. As can be seen from my current Blog, readers are able to read and learn a lot more from the Blog than from the so called accredited media. In simple terms I have no friends and I ask for no favours.

      I do agree that there has been a conspiracy of silence which began way before the Historic Abuse investigation got underway in March 2008. The only difference is that since the investigations got under way, more people have become aware that the figures just don’t stack up and are slowly beginning to question them.

      Whilst those in authority may believe they are not accountable and are not challenged by Jersey’s very conservative accredited media, they have no idea of number of people who read the Blogs. They also have no idea how wide that readership is. Those figures are purely in the hands of the Bloggers. Other Bloggers will confirm that like me their readership is rapidly increasing because the public are slowly realising that the wool has been covering their eyes for too long and there cannot be smoke with a fire.

      Senator Gorst must be aware than anything other than a full and transparent Committee of Inquiry will not be acceptable. Now is the time to show that enough is enough and it is Jersey’s international as well as its local reputation that is at stake.

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  12. Dear Bob if this posting is too emotional to be put out there! I felt I needed to write it for you to read, you decide....

    Dear Bob, at last I feel for the first time, someone is listening..... please do all you can to help people like me. I want to move my life forward, I want people to listen and to believe and I want 2013 to be a year of healing, not a year of patching up my already broken heart, I feel like Jersey have pulled me from pillar to post on my emotions, I am strong but I am exhausted and broken from all the tugging from all angles in the way Jersey have handled people like me! please do all you can to help us. Thank you. x

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    1. The sad thing is that people have been listening but have been ignoring not only your pleas other victims like you.

      Hopefully the listening will now turn to positive action.

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  13. Bob - I can only endorse what other commenters have said that this is an excellent posting indeed.

    Whilst the disgrace that is the Savile affair has once again highlighted the problems of child abuse which have never been far from the headlines in Jersey for some years now, let us hope that it will prompt CM Gorst to do the right thing and put forward what Verita's report recommended for once and for all. Indeed, if we had not had the shambolic introduction of Williamson to attempt water down those excellent Terms of Reference, we could/should have had this Inquiry under way by now.

    If any 'good' is to come out of this it is that maybe now the public at large who have doubted the theory of a cover-up may be a little more convinced that this has and does happen. Those who have doubted the claims of the abused may realise how very hard it has been for them to come forward and relate what happened to them. Let us not forget, it was only when Lenny Harper and Graham Power made their investigation public that victims felt able to trust and come forward, exactly as has happened with the Savile affair.

    I think the proposition that CM Gorst brings forward will be his defining moment, and the legacy he will leave. Get it right Chief Minister, not to appease those in your CoM who do not want a robust Inquiry, but for the victims of abuse and the public at large who want the truth.

    Just to add how very disappointed I was to learn that only 20 of our 52+ elected members turned out to listen to Mr Marsden from Verita's briefing. It does beg the question - how many have actually read it from cover to cover? How many have children themselves, and furthermore how many really CARE?

    Happy Birthday Bob!

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    1. I was not aware that only 20 States Members attended the briefing, that is disappointing, do you know how many attended the Andrew Williamson briefing?

      Thanks for the Birthday wishes.

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    2. Sorry Bob I don't, but it would be interesting to find out!

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  14. Well said Bob.

    I imagine Ian Gorst is in a very lonely place right now. He is surrounded by people determined to protect something or somone(s) no longer "protectable".

    Most of us think that he is a fundamentally decent individual caught up in the dirtiest game in town. Let us hope that his moral convictions overcome the threats that surround him. If he does the right thing in relation to the terms of reference for the COI he will get more support than he thinks. Hitherto anonymous supporters will come to the surface and the conspirators will have to show their true colours.

    Let there be no doubt. As I said in an earlier comment, there has been, and continues to be, a conspiracy of the worst sort. Victims of abuse have been denigrated and those who sort to give them justice have been ridiculed and persecuted. These might seem strong words but they don't begin to describe accurately enough the depths of depravity that have been covered up for so long.

    I honestly take no pleasure in what will hopefully soon be a full exposure of this sorry episode in our Island's history but am confident that it will prove to be a catharsis that will ensure that we, the people of Jersey, can in future hold our heads up high once more and be proud that we slew the dragon that is child abuse and those who facilitated such abuse.

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    1. I agree with your comment re Ian Gorst. I have worked with the other Ministers and whilst we may have disagreed on political issues they are honest and committed people. The sad thing is that stand in isolation and are failing to comply with the decision already made. I know some read the Blogs and invite any of them to publish their reason(s)why they are out of step with their colleagues and the public.

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  15. Dear Bob, I have opened my stable door again for perhaps more disappointment with 'my Island' but I am willing to give it one more try. I am giving Jersey a chance to put things right. I also invite Politicians to respond to your blog to explain their approach and how they are going to deal with this issue, the one that won't go away, the one that can be an opportunity, not something that 'is dealt with hidden and under the carpet' now is your chance politicians to open up this forum right here right now! come closer, we won't bite! we will listen to you, ' all' politicians but you must also listen to us! and I hope I speak for the majority of those who suffered as I have and still do!

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  16. Well the time is almost 7pm, I did not have my hopes up, I expect the politicians are afraid, afraid of coming forward, but I am used to being let down, as so many times this has happened. I can take it! I have for 18 years of my life, so this is not any different for me, let down, once again, let down by the very people who have the power to change things, the very power they choose to ignore. We continue our fight until Jersey acknowledge the wrong, acknowledge us, acknowledge what they have done and learn from the past they continue to ignore! happy birthday, don't worry Bob, it will be fine. x we will find a way from this.

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  17. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/oct/31/jimmy-savile-itv


    "Edwina Currie, then a junior health minister, appointed Savile to a taskforce to manage the hospital in 1988. She told Channel 4 News in a statement: "What [Savile] did have, as I know for certain, is information which gave him a hold over staff. That could explain why they said nothing, even with their knowledge or suspicion of his misbehaviour. As a result ministers were never given the information, when we could have barred him from the place."

    The currency of corruption in use - The Savile Way = The Jersey Way

    Chief Minister Gorst - Are you reading the blogs yet?

    Be very careful choosing who is selected to sit on any COI. You don't another Savile "appointed to the taskforce" -

    Do you?

    Until you start reading outside of the MSM, you cannot claim to be informed enough to make the right decisions to protect children.

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  18. Bob

    Some of your readers might not have seen this yet

    http://www.thisisguernsey.com/comment/gp-opinion/2012/10/31/beasts-like-savile-don%E2%80%99t-work-alone/

    This begs the question about why the Guernsey Press (under the same ownership as the JEP) can take such a different and more realistic view. Just what is going on in the Jersey media?

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  19. A good post Bob. I note the above link (13:11) to Guernsey Press opinion page, there is one particular statement which is worth highlighting, which is:

    'Statistically, each abuser will have a group of about 30 people around them, which makes the claims in Jersey that children from Haut de la Garenne were loaned out to rich boat owners particularly disturbing.'

    Why hasn't the JEP done more, they should be asking this question alongside a lot more. They have not, why?, are they covering up some pedo ring? Is that why Leah Goodman has not been able to continue her work?

    ----
    For anyone fed up of spoon fed so called MSM journalists, go to this site and sign for Leah to get her visa to be allowed back into Jersey>

    allow Leah Goodman to continue her research into the past abuse that took place at HDLG

    Support her or say nothing and support a cover up.

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    1. Readers may be pleased to see that at next Tuesday's States Sitting (6th November) Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –

      “Following recent allegations regarding Jimmy Savile at Haut de la Garenne, and further to his statement on 10th July 2012 that the ‘door was not closed’ if new evidence came to light, will the Minister be requesting that Operation Rectangle be reopened?”

      It will be interesting hear the answer.

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    2. As I tell people I am psychic I bet I know the answer to that one already!

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    3. There is no reference to any proposition relating to the COI in next Tuesday's States Order paper, but Deputy Tadier, like Deputy Trevor Pitman is keeping the pressure up by asking relevant questions. Below is Deputy Tadiers's

      “In view of allegations of political misconduct surrounding the suspension of the former Chief of Police , will the Chief Minister be proposing Terms of Reference for the Committee of Inquiry into historic child abuse that will allow it to gauge whether there was any undue political interference in policing matters and, if not, why not?”

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  20. Excellent article Bob. I am re posting on all of my social media outlets. It is an issue which I have been running on my blogg for some time.The real facts and all those involved in the scandal both in Jersey and on the mainland, must be exposed and brought to account no matter who they are and no matter what position they hold or may have held.

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    1. Thank you John, please could you supply details of your Blog and I will post the link to my Blog.

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    2. Bob: as requested.Blog and twitter account

      http://new-agenda2012.blogspot.co.uk/
      John Yates
      @ThomasFairfax

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  21. Interesting stuff - especially the bit about terms of reference. Remind you of Napier and the mysterious disappearing paragraph? Shows how important it is for Gorst to get the COI TOR right.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20182106

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  22. I agree that the TOR are important and even more so is that they must not be amended as what happened with the Napier Review. It is also important that evidence does not go on "a walkabout" and it is good to note that Deputy Trevor Pitman is asking the question below on Tuesday. Ths skull issue is another illustration of the steps taken to avoid the truth being exposed.

    Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –

    “Will the Minister undertake to provide in writing a detailed ‘audit trail’ identifying what items were retrieved during the Haut de la Garenne investigation, advise where they were sent for analysis, who sent/authorized them to go, who examined them, where each item is currently stored and confirm that no items from this investigation have been lost or destroyed?”

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    1. Given the tremendous expense of various insufficient ourchap reports, spin artists like Matt Tapp, and the cost of the bogus suspensions of Graham Power, it never made sense for money to have been the real excuse for doing or not doing anything. When the evidence started to go missing, I became convinced the abuse was much much worse than even what had been reported before the cover up. That alone is so suspicious; it is much like banning an internationally successful journalist for looking too closely at child abuse in Jersey. The cover up makes the scandal appear to be far worse than the allegations we have heard so far. I am more convinced now than ever that murder and extremely prominent UK and Jersey officials would have been involved for them to cover so much up and ban a journalist without a coherant excuse.

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  23. As mentioned previously the Council of Ministers cannot run or hide forever. Whilst the cost is given as a factor in avoiding the COI when you consider the secondary cost such as the suspension, Napier Review, Court and Complaints Board Hearing to deny the truth being exposed, the cost of Verita and Williamson Reports etc, putting off the COI must be nearing the half million mark so one can understand your suspicions that there must be really something revealing to hide.

    Banning the journalist is inexcusable and the actions of petty minded officials.

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  24. Do you really think that the banning of the journalist was down to officials? I can't imagine the Immigration officers doing this on their own initiative. They surely must have taken advice and/or received orders from the Home Affairs Minister and/or the AG before taking such a catastrophic decision.

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    1. When I said Officials I meant in the wider context. The fact that she is still banned must surely mean that that decision is endorsed higher up the ladder.

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    2. I agree with anon 23:16 and Bob.

      If Phil Bailhache was so concerned about Jersey being misunderstood, then surely with the powers of persuasion (as implied by the JEP and 'respect'), he would have ensured this issue had already been rectified and publicised as a demonstration that there is no such thing as a cover up. The fact that this has not happened, only leads me to think the reason for Leah's problems, are all to do with some people who must hold a lot of power (see note by JEP) have things to hide and hope all the trouble will go away.

      It smells like a cover up.

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  25. The heat is being turned up -

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/nov/03/jimmy-savile-case-inquiry

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    1. Thank you for the site which I have now read and it says that Jersey Police are investigating. That matter should be confirmed via Deputy Trevor Pitman's question on Tuesday.

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  26. There are several interesting questions in the States next Tuesday. I wonder what tactics those being questioned will adopt. Will it be a fresh, clear-the-air honest set of answers? Or will it be the usual arrogant obfuscation which I can call outright lies but States members are forbidden from doing so?

    I'm afraid I think I know the answer but, hey, hope springs eternal in this Island of transparency and free speech!

    On the subject of the banned journalist, the mere fact that this has not been resolved speaks volumes. I believe that our Immigration Officers are honest professionals being coerced by either a political agenda or the intervention of the AG, or both. What a complete idiotic shambles!

    I wonder if our esteemed leaders still believe deep down that the present situation in which Jersey finds itself is the fault of those pesky children who in reality asked for the abuse they suffered, if indeed they did suffer such treatment. I kid you not, some of them truly believe this. They truly think that everything would have been alright if people who did not understand their role in our society had not had the temerity to complain and, furthermore, the sheer audacity of our professional Police Chief in following up these complaints was just too much. He had to go!!

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    1. Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier will be asking a couple of questions re the journalist his first to the Minister for Home Affairs is as follows;

      “Will the Minister advise whether foreign writers require a special visa to enter Jersey and write about what goes on in the Island and, if so, under what piece of legislation is this administered and what was the role, if any, of his department in the exclusion of Leah McGrath Goodman from the United Kingdom on her way to Jersey?”

      The second question is to the H.M. Attorney General and is as follows;

      “Will H.M. Attorney General advise members whether statutory powers exist to prevent journalists/tv teams/writers from entering Jersey and, if so, what these are?”

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  27. Here is an interesting summary on a blog by Polo -

    http://photopol.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you, I have now read the website which has an interesting observation about our media which is described as "a sort of unfunny joke."

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  28. A very good reason for having the strongest COI TOR, is to remove the suspicion of a cover-up once and for all, for the States to regain the full trust of the public and for the international image to as clean as a whistle. Of course if there is a cover-up and if there is a pedo-ring, then I guess those who have something to hide will shout down louder than all others, now what was Philly saying recently!!!!!


    If need be, get Bailhache (the one fond of travelling to foreign holiday islands looking for guidance on how to operate a government, get him, to have a chat with the Children's Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, who is asking for a full investigation, as he says, its the only way to resolve 'understandable' concerns that there had been a cover-up over the full extent of abuse at a North Wales children's home 30 years ago.

    He told BBC Radio 5; 'I would support a full inquiry. Unless you do that, that level of suspicion will always be around that there is a cover-up. No one should be protected'

    So why not Bailhache?

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  29. I wonder if our Chief Minister will follow the example of the UK PM?

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/nov/05/tory-child-sex-ring-claim?CMP=twt_fd

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    1. There is a States Sitting tomorrow so we shall see whether the Chief Minister will lodge his proposition along with the TOR.

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  30. Having heard Theresa May's statement to the House of Commons yesterday I am disturbed that there is an enquiry into an already made inquiry is taking place. There should be a totally new enquiry, whilst taking account of the other enquiry they should be aiming at people who are still alive and probably still committing atrocities upon children and young people.

    We hear comments presently made that we have heard before (Remember Frank Walker stating that we shall leave no stone unturned regarding the Haut de la Garenne investigations and the continual voices coming from the Judiciary that people had no case to answer in their opinion and cases were dropped). Well I can't see the English Judiciary coming out of this that much better to be honest. The Buck is stopping at the Judiciary pretty soon and I hope that people are taking notice of this fact.

    Something has to be done and soon!

    (aka) Ahimsa

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