Monday 31 December 2012

That was the year that was.


As 2012 draws to an end it will most probably be best remembered for when London hosted the Olympics in Diamond Jubilee year, the likes of which may never happen again. However life for lesser mortals has not been without its highs and lows and this Blog is devoted to looking back and commenting on some of the 31 Blogs I published during the year.

I did not comment on the proposition to purchase the Plemont headland. This was championed by our Chief Minister Ian Gorst, Senator Bailhache, Senator Ozouf, the Jersey National Trust and local media. The approved Planning application was even described as “rape.” I did however devote several Blogs in an attempt to save a playing field along with its cricket and football pitches. Interestingly not one of the aforesaid lent any support in opposing the application “rape?” to replace the existing St Martin’s School by building on its playing field. Double standards and hypocrisy methinks.

In April I published a Blog “Good Cop, Bad Cop” following a former Centenier (honorary policeman) being charged with sex offences against young girls. Last month the Centenier was found guilty and will be sentenced next month. I did question whether anyone would be looking into any of the sexual cases the Centenier may have handled whilst in office. The question remains unanswered.

If the Centenier was a skeleton in the cupboard there was a more grotesque
skeleton in the form of Jimmy Savile who was exposed a few months later.

I published a couple of Blogs relating to the possible use of Taser Guns by our Police Officers, notwithstanding the States Police being able to justify an extension to its armoury. It is apparent that Taser Guns will be issued next year. How soon will it be before the lethal weapons are in common use?

It has been reported that a possible replacement for the former Auditor General has been found. It should be recalled that the former Auditor General had resigned after raising serious concerns about Senator Ozouf’s intervention into the financial arrangements relating to the possible relocation of the police headquarters. Senator Ozouf felt that he had been unfairly criticised and found guilty without a trial. In an April Blog I accused the Senator of shedding crocodile tears as he had been quite content for other people like the former police chief to suffer the same fate. It is evident that they were crocodile tears because a few months later when the Senator had an opportunity of supporting a proposed Inquiry, he opposed the proposition.

I also devoted some Blogs on the proposed Committee of Inquiry (COI) into the Historic Child Abuse. Not only was I concerned at the delay but also of its possible composition and terms of reference (TOR). The wheels have turned very slowly but at last a proposition has been lodged and is down for debate next month.

Verita was entrusted with coming forward with recommendations and although the Chief Minister is claiming that its recommendations form the base for his proposed TOR there are some significant omissions whereby they fall far short of what is expected if the COI is to be meaningful.

It is heartening that plans are in hand to lodge amendments which will no doubt be the subject of future Blogs, but will the amendments have the Chief Minister’s support?

Along with others, I published a Blog on the Electoral Commission’s role which included my submission to it. I did propose that Jersey follows the Guernsey format with Districts, one form of States Member with a 4 year term of office. It was no surprise to read that the Electoral Commission bottled out of recommending that Connetables should no longer be ex-officio. I understand that arrangements are in hand for a referendum, if the result is that the Connetables role should end, will States Members have the courage to listen to the public?

I also published 3 Blogs on the Curtis Warren arrest. The Blogs have certainly been well read with many comments being received. It is not disputed that the police officers unlawfully bugged the car. Having made the arrest the procedure that followed was out of their hands. It was open to the Attorney General’s office to refuse to prosecute. It was also open to the Courts to refuse to hear the case and having been found guilty it was open to the Court of Appeal to overturn the verdict.

The police officers not withstanding their unlawful action; prevented a large amount of drugs illegally entering the Island and acted in a manner they thought best. It could be said that it was for the greater good. What I find hypercritical is the condemnation from the Courts and now over five years later charges of bringing the police force into disrepute have been levelled against the arresting officers.

Surely if the Officers allegedly brought the States Police into disrepute it was in 2007 so why has it taken so long to bring discipline charges? In answers given to the former Senator Shenton some three years ago an estimated £3m had already been spent on police and court costs, goodness knows how much more the case has cost since and will continue to cost. Given the cost one is entitled to ask who is really responsible for the events that followed the arrest in July 2007 and should they not also be made accountable?

2012 has indeed been eventful and no doubt so too will 2013. I have raised a number of questions but will they be satisfactorily answered? The Plemont headland issue will continue to rumble on and a new St Martin’s School will be built on its playing field. The Centenier will be sentenced, but aged 77 will the punishment fit the crime? Police Officers will be issued with Taser guns which will further distance them from the public. A new Auditor General will be appointed but will she be subjected to political interference?

There will be a referendum to decide the future States format, what are the chances of the status quo remaining? Will the COI terms of reference be amended to give it the teeth to conduct an open and meaningful inquiry? Lastly how much more public money will be spent or “wasted” on the Curtis Warren case, it seems that the only winners will be the lawyers.

In a few hours time we shall be saying adieu to 2012 and bonjour to 2013, apart from extending my seasonal greetings to you all, I would also like to thank you for not only reading my blogs but to those who have submitted comments. Although I don’t know who reads my Blogs I know that readership is worldwide and I often wonder what it is about my Blog that raises your interest in Jersey in the first place, but your interest is much appreciated.

On a final note it was January 1st 1961 that I flew to London to join the Metropolitan Police the next day. Sitting along side of me on the plane was Ted Vibert, who I knew as an aspiring journalist and a fellow footballer. Ted like me some 30 years later was elected to the States. I have always considered his summing up in the Trinity Landfill debate to be one of the finest during my 18 years in the States.

On my arrival in London I stayed overnight at Gilmour Section House which is situated near to the Elephant and Castle in south London. I remember going for a drink, and also sharing a piece of my mother’s Christmas cake with a police officer named Hilton Cole who was transferring to the Met Police from Wales. Within a few months Hilton made world news and became known as the first UK police officer to arrest some one via the Identikit system. As one will see he arrested Edwin Bush who admitted murdering shop assistant Elsie Batten and was later executed.

As Hilton was a transferee he only had to attend a shortened training course so did not join me at Hendon. Attached is the fine body of recruits who were the first of the 1961 intake. Can anyone pick me out?


As Hilton was a transferee he only had to attend a shortened training course so did not join me at Hendon. Attached is the fine body of recruits who were the first of the 1961 intake. Can anyone pick me out?


22 comments:

  1. Back row 3rd from the right. You haven't changed a bit!

    Thanks for all your good work over many many years Bob. I wish I could be optimistic about 2013 but the sheer hypocrisy of the majority of our elected members concerns me now more than ever.

    I guess miracles do happen though.

    I wish you all the very best for a happy and healthy 2013.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words and I agree about hypocrisy, during my 18 years in the States it was one of the hardest thing to come to terms with.

      Just in case anyone else wants to pick me out in the photograph, I won’t reveal the answer for a week but thanks for trying.


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  2. Bob.

    Well done on this year's Blogging which has been (as one could only expect from yourself) well researched and wholly factual. In the absence of an independent media over here more people are having to turn to the Blogs to keep reasonably informed as to what's "really" going on in the island and your Blog plays a crucial role in this.

    I think (in the photo) you are in the second row and furthest to the left?

    In the meantime here is some more news, most of which, you won't have seen/heard in the STATE MEDIA

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    1. Thanks Voice,
      If Blogs are to be credible then they have to be factual. Voice and Rico’s Blogs have been setting the standard and I agree with you that Blogs are now being read because of their accuracy and independence. Keep up the good work.

      As mentioned above I will let readers know the answer in a week’s time, but to give you a clue, I wont ask you to attend an ID Parade.

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    2. Bob.

      As much as the Jersey Evening Post tries to convince its reader(s) that the Blogs are not factual at least we (Bloggers) have the courage to stand by our publications which is more than can be said for THEM

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  3. Thank you Bob and a Very Happy New Year to you and your family. Carrie

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Carrie

      Let us hope that the Care leavers have a good year and justice is done with the Committee of Inquiry.

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  4. Jersey Reform Day on 28 September does not feature in the giveaway
    JEP Diary for 2013 - so no surprise there!

    Your readers must ensure to mark it in theirs....

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    Replies
    1. You are right about it being no surprise, but hopefully the JEP will publish and Editorial and a report nearer to the day.

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  5. Thanks Mr Hill. Keep up the good blog work in 2013.

    Back row 3rd from right.The only thing missing is the famous bike.



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    1. Thank you, good guess and all will be revealed in a week's time.

      As for my bike, I purchased it from "Illiens" in January 1956 soon after leaving school. The bike is still going strong and is the one I am sitting on in the photograph at the top of my Blog.

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  6. Hi Bob,

    All the best for the New Year.

    Not surprised VFC might be wrong lol I'm surprised he didn't say back row 1st on the right.

    My guess is the same as others back row 3rd from right. That's definitely you. Lets see what happens with the Committee of Enquiry and the amendments.

    rs

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  7. Hi Rico,

    Thanks, not commenting on Voice's choice because he could be right????

    Re the Committee of Inquiry, the date for debate has been put back for two weeks to allow for the amendments which hopefully will be lodged shortly.

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  8. Unfortunately its no good waiting for Saturday 28 September to arrive and hoping that something will happen for the JEP to report upon - becuase it won't happen unless people like you and I organise it to happen...
    I have undertaken to organise my bit at Reg's Garden but this is an OFFICIAL day as voted by the States.
    It needs to be promoted at every Parish and throughout the Island by individuduals and groups of all sorts and by Government Departments etc etc.
    Trinity parish has a particular historic importance relating to 1769 but this day is important for everybody - with or without an understanding of Jersey history and politics...
    over to you Bob and your readers - this is the one certain date for 2013 that should be entered for action in the diary.....

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    1. It will require sensible questions being asked as to what the States is intending to organise and then to either support what is being proposed or for an independent group to organise something if what the States is proposing is not satisfactory.

      However what ever the case I will give my support.

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  9. Replies
    1. I have read your latest Blog and congratulations and ask readers to visit your Blog.

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  10. Rather late Bob, but I have only just read this posting. A very happy new year to you and yours, and grateful thanks for all your blog postings and interest in 'matters' over the last year.

    You are a sorely missed States member, one of those we lost whose integrity shone through (as does your face, top row, third from the right!).

    You ain't changed a bit officer!

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  11. Hi Gee Gee,
    Thanks for your kind words and continued support.

    Also well done to you and the many others who picked me out in the back row. By co-incidence I spent all my 18 years in the States in the back row.

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  12. Dear Bob, today the police officers in relation to the Curtis Warren case have been cleared, my question is a very simple one. Then who is responsible for giving instruction for them to carry out the bugging.... I think I know the answer but would allow and hope we can have a transparent and open debate about it, not simply behind closed doors as has already happened. We need to know the truth and I feel it is in the public interest to know. That way we can really see how the legal set up in Jersey is working.....

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  13. Dear Bob, also this is the statement coming from Philip Sinel.

    Ahead of the hearing, Advocate Philip Sinel said: "Chief Inspector David Minty, Inspector Louis Beghin and Detective Sergeant Lawrence Courtness all deny categorically that they have behaved unlawfully, improperly without advice or that any action that they took was unauthorised."

    Then simply 'who was the person or persons who authorised their actions?' this simply can't be a closed discussion, it is in the public's interest to know. Who was it, the legal Officers?,

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your two comments, I have now published a new Blog which covers some of your comments.

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