Tuesday 9 July 2013

Jersey's Dean ------Doubting Thomases


Four months have elapsed since Bishop Dakin suspended Jersey ’s Dean. The suspension or removal of the Dean’s Commission had been prompted following the publication of the much maligned Korris Report. The Bishop, shortly afterwards announced that the matter would be the subject of a Visitation which would be led by former Bishop John Gladwin with an Archdeacon, a suitably experienced and independent senior lawyer and a suitable lay person to assist him. The Terms of Reference were published but did not cover the complaint into the Dean’s alleged mishandling of HG’s complaint.

Following the firing of broadsides from the Dean’s supporters led by the former Bailiff but now Senator Philip Bailhache the Dean’s Commission was restored 7 weeks later before the Visitation had got underway let alone concluded. So one wonders why the Dean was suspended in the first place.

Two months ago Bishop Dakin announced that Dame Heather Steel had been commissioned to lead an investigation into the Dean’s handling of HG’s complaint which feeds into John Gladwin’s Visitation. One is to assume that apart from the investigation into the Dean’s handling of HG’s complaint it will include the decision and manner of her deportation from Jersey. On page 41 of her Report Jan Korris states “It is clearly a matter of concern that a vulnerable adult in such a distressed state could be removed from Jersey with no thought to her imminent care needs.”
Unfortunately it is only an assumption because although the whole investigation is supposed to be based on safeguarding and the need for full transparency and accountability, no Terms of Reference have been published. It has been rumoured that Dame Heather wanted a no holds barred investigation which was considered to be too open for the Bishop. Could that be the reason for Dame Heather’s failure to get under way?

I am not the only one who has sought clarification or indeed an update on what is really (not) going on. However apart from notification that the Bishop had personally apologised to HG, which she says is completely untrue, the wheels of the Bishop’s chariot which were never secure appear to have come off.

It seems ironic that Korris who was critical of the Dean’s handling of HG’s complaint claimed that all the way along the line everything came too late. It seems that Bishop Dakin has learnt nothing from the report and his apparent lack of leadership and procrastination is now becoming an embarrassment.

It is also unfair on the leading players in the affair; allegations have been made against the former Bishop, the Safeguarding Officer, the Dean, his wife, the Vicar and the Church Warden. They are entitled to know whether the second part of the Visitation is going ahead.

Most importantly the procrastination is most unfair on HG who is the real but forgotten victim of what is becoming a complete shambles on top of the unholy mess created by the Dean and former Bishop. In previous Blogs I have stated that before the Visitation got under way personal apologies and tangible assistance should be given to HG.  These are still awaited.

In addition there are other questions that need answers. It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The same could be said of perception particularly in small communities like Jersey with its infamous “ Jersey Way .” Therefore one would have hoped that before anyone was appointed as a member of the Visitation Panel any suggestion of conflict whether implied or perceived would deem them, no matter how well qualified to be unacceptable.
If one accepts that principle then one must question whether someone who is a member of the Dean’s congregation at St Helier’s Parish Church and recently listed on its Electoral Role is a wise appointment to the Panel.

By the same token Dame Heather is a former Judge of the Court of Appeal in Jersey and a former colleague of Senator Philip Bailhache. Dame Heather accepted Senator Bailhache’s invitation to be a Speaker at his 2010 Conference called “Dependency or Sovereignty? Time to take Stock.” A fellow Speaker was Advocate Richard Falle who was the Magistrate responsible for HG’s shameful removal from Jersey. 

If Dame Heather is to conduct her investigation in line with the Korris recommendation on page 41 of her Report, she will be required to question Mr Falle. Dame Heather will also have to investigate members of the States Police who arrested HG but did not charge her until 12 hours later after taking statements from the Dean and former Bishop. They also successfully opposed her Bail. Therefore one is entitled to ask why a Member of the States Police is assisting Dame Heather.

While there must be transparency, witnesses when necessary should be entitled to confidentiality particularly in Jersey where there is a genuine fear of reprisal and/or marginalisation for anyone coming forward with evidence questioning the role of “Establishment” figures. The current composition of the Visitation Panels is deterring at least two witnesses submitting evidence. HG has also made it abundantly clear that she will not appear before the Dame Heather Panel. Unfortunately no one is listening.

The football season has not yet commenced but Winchester is already conceding a number of own goals. The normal remedy is to replace the Manager but no one is holding their breath. It was suggested at the outset by the Dean’s supporters led by Senator Philip Bailhache are calling all the shots. It also lays weight to the belief that Winchester ’s concerns about HG are just a smoke screen as a cover for the real agenda that being Constitutional matters. Regretfully that is now becoming abundantly clear.
I am not the only Doubting Thomas but regretfully am being joined by an ever growing number of sceptics who doubt whether the Church of England really gives a damn about the vulnerable and last weekend’s General Synod Conference at York was just another case of hot air and humbug.

31 comments:

  1. Bob.

    You are right to raise questions involving those involved in the vitiation(s). Not only the, perceived or otherwise, conflict between Dame Heather and Senator Philip Bailhache, but it also looks like the police are going to be investigating the police! The SOJP, and the Magistrates court have more questions to answer than most, so they get a former Jersey appeal judge, and the police to investigate?

    This is becoming a complete farce and HG has every right to distrust this latest debacle.

    Mentioned in your last paragraph "General Synod Conference at York" One sees the difference of how the Bishop of Southwell is dealing with abuse and how it is (not) being dealt with by Jersey's Dean and his establishment supporters. HERE is Bishop of Southwell and HERE is Jersey Establishment. Compare and contrast.

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    1. Thanks Voice. The Bishop doesn't seem too bothered by my concerns. HG

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    2. Thanks for the links, we know of the Jersey Way, but are we sure that the UK way is any better? The signs so far are not promising.

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  2. They have certainly inflicted plenty of damage by this crazy mess. HG

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  3. This is appalling the underdog not being listened to and pushed aside to save face or so it seems! Church of England is supposed to be a caring Christian Church I think HG's case has proved otherwise at least in this instance.

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    1. Me too - it gives me no pleasure to say that.

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  4. A wise and perceptive article which draws together a lot of the obvious strands.

    I'm afraid the Church of England has messed-up its response to the safeguarding failure and oppression suffered by HG.

    Sadly, what we see now is yet another messy, inadequate "Jersey Way" hotchpotch of secrecy, cronyism, and conflicts of interest.

    The Archbishop should speak to Her Majesty about these matters, and simply have the Dean stripped of Her Majesty's Letters Patent.

    There's no other way any kind of meaningful accountability will ever be imposed upon the toxic, self-protecting claque that is the Jersey establishment.

    Stuart

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    1. The problem with the stripping of the letters patent would be that the Bishop of Winchester had to save face by saying that the Dean had acted in good faith, and he said it to the press. so there would be further uproar.
      And, the clergy in Jersey would continue their uprising and more smear campaigns against HG.
      But, maybe they would vote with their feet and the horrible cult element of Jersey's CofE could be washed away and the church could have a clean start.
      Maybe.
      I don't think P. Bailhache is going to go away.

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    2. Stuart, sadly the Archbishop was easily won over by Baihache. I seriously wonder if his trip on the plane with police evidence that he had no right to have was a trip to see the Archbishop himself.
      My queries to the Archbishop were responded to by me being blocked by email and treated as if I was mad when I phoned Lambeth. I have no doubt that clergy and church people from the Deanery of Jersey were not treated in the same way in their contact with Lambeth, so nothing has changed.
      No hope whatsoever of this matter being dealt with properly.
      As Bob says, the talk at York was all 'hot air and humbug'! HG :)

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    3. The problem is that the Archbishop capitulated after Senator Bailhache's first letter; do you think he has the strength of character to approach Her Majesty?

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  5. The Bishop rushed in thinking, no doubt, that the Jersey Dean was subject to UK Canon Law, or at the least, that Jersey Canon law was very similar. It is to a degree, but not when it comes to how to deal with a situation when the Dean is in the dock, so to speak. That seems to have been pretty well assumed not to happen if you read the texts.

    I can't see any easy resolution to this, except the conclusion that the whole matter is in a muddle, and the usual way of dealing with a muddle is to try and bury it in a report which probably will contain so much prevarication and caveats as to say virtually nothing.

    Another case of Lord Dorwin, I'm afraid.

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    1. Thanks Tony,
      Not sure about Lord Dorwin, but Winchester is doing its best to bury the matter before it gets under way.

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  6. Was the canon Law also a last minute amendment?

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    1. No, It took about 12 years to draft and does not contain a Statement of Human Rights Compatibility.

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  7. Yet there are still no answers to why Senator Bailhache had access to protected data, unwittingly exposed them to other passengers, and has nothing but contempt for any who inquire about that. He has contempt for everyone who has publicly tried to assist HG or the child abuse victims, really. How many more examples do we need to see of his contempt for justice, for doing and saying what is right, even his contempt for democratic fairness? He controls the outcomes. That much is transparently obvious and not a muddle at all.

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  8. Senator Bailhache is only able to be so influential because people around him allow him to be. It was Edmund Burke who said “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Is it that we do not have enough good men in the States?

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  9. Another thoughtful blog posting and excellent analysis, Mr Hill. I believe the blogging in Jersey has far surpassed that of much larger communities, and certainly leaves the Jersey mainstream media in the dust.

    Elle

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  10. Dear Elle,

    Thank you for your kind words. Blogs are becoming more influential because they have no vested interests other publishing the truth.

    I note your comments about Jersey Blogs and comparing them with Blogs in larger communities, not sure whether I am qualified to comment but I welcome yours.

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    1. It is clear to those of us who follow them that the blogs now constitute Jersey's free press. This is an awsome responsibility for "amateurs" (in matters of the press) and so far it has been carried out admirably.

      I do not know what goes on behind the (unpublished) scenes but I'm sure vested interests have made many attempts to subvert this new medium and sucker the bloggers. This is a huge danger and the bloggers have responded well, showing a deep understanding of their role in maintaining free speech, speaking truth to power, and attempting to awaken and sensitise a slumbering population to the predations of their feudal lords and the current dangers facing the island.

      It comes across as a form of resistance to a feudal occupation, and, as we know, some of the bloggers/activists have suffered severe reprisals for their insolence and insubordination (I am thinking, in particular, of Stuart's sacking and subsequent oppression and the attempts to bankrupt Trevor and Shona).

      While the emphasis has been on holding abusers to account and getting closure for the survivors, the conflict is wider and deeper, and all we, on the outside, can do is to keep drawing the attention of the outside world to the struggle in Jersey, and give the freedom fighters our moral support.

      Rath ar an obair (May you succeed)

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    2. Perfectly stated, Póló. Following many blogs on both sides of the pond leaves me with all the more admiration for Jersey's. I can say I've heard only positive comments about Jersey blogs from UK and US bloggers and readers. That most Jersey blogs are so solidly evidence-based makes their integrity notable.

      Elle

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  11. Thank you Polo for your wise words and it is evident that you are aware of the problems with putting one's head above the parapet. This is particularly pertinent in small communities like Jersey, therefore support from outside is appreciated.

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  12. Morning Bob,
    P. Kington's letter in today's Daily Mail letters column speaks for me and for a number of church abuse survivors. The letter entitled 'sorry isn't enough' comments on the church of england's 'new commitment' to abuse survivors.
    I have to say, while the Diocese of Winchester noticably lacks proper safeguarding procedures and has in the time I have known them, things aren't going to improve.
    The Diocese have a policy that involves excluding, isolating and shunning vulnerable people without them knowing about the policy, just because they are vulnerable and the Diocese wants to protect their clergy.
    I don't know if this policy is going to change and be replaced by real safeguarding and inclusion of vulnerable people.
    HG

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    1. Mr Kington is correct to say “sorry isn’t enough” because as in HG’s case unless the apology is given personally, it is meaningless? In addition victims should receive tangible assistance to help them over come the harm inflicted on them which led to the apology.

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  13. I almost Averty-d the sausage of abuse. Here is the SHARP REPORT'S MISSING PAGE 20 courtesy of some....honourable people :)

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  14. what does Ian mean? HG

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    1. in addition to Bob Hill's observations below, the back story is that there seem to be multiple serious allegations which have been suppressed regarding a close male relation of Robb A.

      Others may have been treated even worse than you [HG] have been!

      I wonder if any proper investigation was carried out and if the victims were bullied and relabelled as perpetrators.

      I hope they were just paid off - I don't expect that we will ever know the full truth but more is bound to come out.

      Bob (you are kidding right?); sausages, what the North Americans call "wiener" and a word they colloquially use in as an alternative to "penis".

      Interestingly Ian seems to have depicted cocktail sausage,s or "little boys" as the North Americans (inverting the analogy) would call them.

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  15. Not sure about the sausage, but it is evident that some of the people mentioned in the Sharp report and/or somehow involved also appear in the Dean Affair.

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  16. As sickening as the Jersey situation:

    Eileen Fairweather
    www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10177681/The-truth-behind-the-child-abuse-cover-ups.html

    How do they get away with it?
    In Jersey we see how, in microcosm, and in a clarity which enables the more nebulous mainland situation to be better understood.

    At least the posh boys at Vic college got taken sailing and drugged with alcohol with probably only minor use of threats - better than being beaten shitless, tied up, or half drowned which have been the preferred methods by some at places like HDLG and some mainland homes that have been infiltrated by paedophiles.

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  17. BBC Jersey are a disgrace, HG , in her vulnerable position, has been taken advantage of this morning.

    I'm confident in saying that they have taken excerpts of that email and used it with a view of attempting to make her initial complaints seem unfounded.

    It's disgusting.

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  18. I was surprised to learn that HG had agreed to the interview but the decision to so was entirely in her own hands.

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