It had been suggested by the Dean’s supporters last March
that the investigation is not about HG’s complaint but more to do with a “spat”
between the Dean and Bishop Dakin and a power struggle between the Winchester
and Jersey hierarchy. Having been involved with the
matter since last March it is becoming evident that the Dean’s supporters are
correct and HG is again a victim of another cruel and serious mismanagement by
the Diocese of Winchester.
Dame Heather’s appointment was announced on 15th
May but surprisingly no Terms of Reference were published. Questions were asked
of her perceived conflict and of her relationship with Senator Sir Philip
Bailhache who has played a leading role in supporting the Dean. Dame Heather
was also to be assisted by a member of the States of Jersey Police who HG
claims were less than professional when investigating her abuse allegation and
later when they arrested her in her pyjamas, refused her bail which led to her
being held her in custody for two weeks and then left destitute at a UK airport
on a cold October evening when still in her pyjamas.
In May after reading several of my Blogs HG contacted me and
we agreed that I would act as her mediator. HG now lives on the street and our
only means of communication is via email and only when she is able to gain
access to broadband at libraries etc. HG had been unaware of the Korris report
and the Visitation. I contacted Jo hn Gladwin,
informed him that I was in regular contact with HG and if he felt it helpful HG
would be prepared to see him provided I accompanied her. I was of the view that
she needed support not only during the Visitation process but also in her every
day life. Also steps should be taken for the public apologies to be given to HG
personally.
In early August Dame Heather’s TOR was published but it was
unclear whether they included HG’s arrest and deportation. A few days later a
large advert appeared in the JEP which gave the impression of having been paid
for by the Dean’s supporters. It called on members of the public who had
complaints about the Bishop of Winchester to submit them to Dame Heather.
To the best of my knowledge neither Dame Heather nor the
Diocese has ever clarified the matter so there is a presumption that Dame
Heather is supporting both camps. On 15th August I wrote to Dame
Heather for the first time seeking clarification of the advert and whether her
TOR included HG’s arrest and deportation. I also said that I wished to meet
her. I wrote a further 6 times and copied in Jo hn
Gladwin and eventually the Bishop’s Chaplain asking that they would forward my
emails to Dame Heather because I was not receiving replies.
Until I met Dame Heather last Thursday I had been of the belief that the Visitation and investigation was being conducted in a
timely and coordinated manner and the left hand knew what the right hand was
doing, but alas this is not case. Rev.Gavin Ashenden has publicly questioned
Bishop Dakin’s handling of the Visitation and has called on him to apologise to
the Dean and HG for the suffering they have endured as a result of it. I can understand
where he is coming from.
It is now evident that Dame Heather was unaware of the June
meeting with Jo hn Gladwin or of the promised
support and line of communication. How can that be, that elementary mistake has
led to unnecessary hurt, delay and expense, none of which can be levelled at
HG’s door.
In mid August Dame Heather emailed HG asking to meet and
also instructed an Advocate to request her former Advocate to seek permission
of HG for access to the police and court papers. I was not copied into Dame
Heather’s email exchange but now know that HG objected to her participation on
the grounds of perceived conflict. HG also saw the request for her documents as
an intrusion by a person with whom she had no confidence, with a foot in both
camps and as a betrayal of the Jo hn Gladwin
agreement.
As mentioned above I continued sending emails to Dame
Heather seeking clarification and requesting we meet but to no avail even
though I copied them to Jo hn Gladwin and the
Bishop’s Chaplain asking that my emails be forwarded to her. However on Friday
18th October in the late afternoon I received a phone call from Dame
Heather saying that she understood that I wished to see her. We had a lengthy
conversation and in summary she told me that her report was almost complete and
did not want to delay its submission to Jo hn
Gladwin. I asked how she could submit a report if she had not seen one of the
key witnesses to which she replied that HG had refused to meet her. I explained
the circumstance outlined above and it was eventually agreed that we would meet
on Thursday at Church House in London .
I said I would contact HG asking that she attend. I also asked for an
independent note taker because the promised notes of our June meeting had still
not been received and I wanted a record of our meeting.
I was able to make email contact with
HG who agreed to attend and although without funds she said she would find her
way to the meeting. Unfortunately due to
travel difficulties she did not arrive. At Thursday’s meeting I asked that
another date be arranged because there were extenuating circumstances as to why
we had not met. Also although I had HG’s case papers, I would not release them
without her consent. Dame Heather initially said that to arrange another
meeting would incur further expense and she really wanted to complete her
report because so many people were waiting for it. I asked what price justice and that the
Korris report had been criticised because neither HG nor the Church Warden had
been interviewed. I was surprised to hear Dame Heather say that she has not
interviewed the Church Warden either.
Dame Heather clarified her TOR and
that the arrest and removal issue were not included but she was addressing the
matter at Bishop Dakin’s request, so one may ask why they were not in the TOR? What is without doubt is that Dame Heather
does not believe that HG was arrested in her pyjamas, the police did not allow
her to get dressed, that she twice attended court and was eventually left
destitute in the UK
whilst still in her pyjamas. The arrest/deportation issue is clearly a major
embarrassment to Winchester so it
will be interesting to see how the issue is covered in Dame Heather’s report
given that she has refused to see HG or seen the case papers.
My meeting with Dame Heather lasted 3
hours, I asked that I be given a transcript of the meeting but was told that I
could but only if I was prepared to pay for it. The meeting was tape recorded
and I have asked both Dame Heather and Bishop Dakin for a copy of it. There was
no independent note taker but notes were taken by Dame Heather who has sent
them to me. They are simply notes which are sketchy and some of the writing is
hard to decipher.
Dame Heather has made it clear that
even though she has not seen HG or heard her evidence or read the
documentation, she is adamant that nothing
will be gained by seeing her now and
thereby delaying her report. If she does not need to see HG why did she want to
see her in the first place and why did she go to the expense of instructing
Advocates to contact HG for the case papers?
I have written a lengthy letter to
Bishop Dakin, not only for record purposes but to explain why I believe that
Dame Heather has not satisfactorily conducted her investigation. I have said that
the investigation should be impartial, it should
expose what is wrong, commend what is right and make recommendations to ensure
that when a highly vulnerable person is abused by a church officer, their
complaint will be investigated without fear or favour and they do not end up at
a UK airport in their pyjamas and left destitute.
There were gaps in the Korris report and lessons
should have been learnt. However there will be gaps in Dame Heather’s report
because lessons have not been learnt. The witnesses not seen by Korris have not
been seen by Dame Heather how can that be?
It would be totally wrong to claim that HG
refused to see Dame Heather because that is not the case. It is now Dame
Heather who is refusing to see HG. It could be because Dame Heather has already
reached her conclusions and does not want HG’s evidence in case she has to
change them.
What is becoming abundantly clear is that the
Visitation is a waste of time and money, the guilty will be found innocent and
the innocent condemned. What sort of message is the Church of England sending
out to the poor, needy and vulnerable members of our society?
Last Friday Dame Heather informed me that my
emails had been traced. It is said that God moves in mysterious ways and now my emails have been traced but
will He now ensure that we get an honest report or will it be a whitewash?
It's clear to me that it will be a whitewash - how can it not be when lessons have so clearly not been learnt?
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how often we hear that lessons have been learnt, but they rarely are.
DeleteBob, if I may I would like to focus on one comment in your posting, namely that Winchester is clearly embarrassed by the arrest / deportation. That may well be the case, and so they should be. However, isn't it a fact that it is Jersey's police and judiciary who should be not only embarrassed, but formally investigated. I cannot conceive of any circumstances where it is lawful, let alone acceptable, for a vulnerable young woman to be left abandoned and destitute at an airport, regardless of the circumstances. It is simply inhuman.
ReplyDeleteI also cannot think of any circumstances where it would be lawful, let alone acceptable, for a person who has not committed any serious crime, to be refused bail and held in custody for 2 weeks.
While the Church of England, in the person of the Dean, the Bishop, or lay members, might have been involved in making the complaint that instigated the sequence of events, it is Jersey's police, law officers and magistrates who were ultimately responsible for the arrest, imprisonment and deportation. They have a statutory responsibility to act independently and ignore improper outside influence. It is very difficult to believe that they did.
I reckon there needs to be a formal investigation into the actions of the States of Jersey Police, the law officers and the Magistrate: not a Mickey Mouse inquiry by a tame ex-judge, but an investigation where the individuals involved are compelled by law to give evidence under cross-examination, on oath.
As a non-believer, it saddens me to think that the so-called Christians who were responsible for this won't have to account for their behaviour to their deity; the best I can hope for is that they too find themselves dumped at Southampton airport in their pyjamas with no money, no home and nobody to look out for them. They might suddenly develop some humility.
Thanks for your comment. In my very first Blog on the Dean published last March I called for an inquiry into the arrest and deportation and wrote to the Chief Minister 3 times asking him establish one but my request was refused.
DeleteWhy was it necessary to kick HG out of the Island, if she needed to be “punished” why could she not been bound over to be of good behaviour as she was employed and had a fixed abode. If you read my blog “Did the punishment fit the crime?” published on 14th May I give a full account of the arrest and how it was evident that there was collusion to remove HG from the Island.
It was a callous act and inhuman let alone unchristian.
Good work Bob & brilliant comment Anon @16:07 28Oct
DeletePlease correct me if I am wrong but in the interests of accuracy - HG was arrested and taken into custody in her nightwear. I don't think she was actually in her nightwear when she was dumped at Jersey/UK arrival airport.
They systematically destroyed the life she had built up. Her job, friends and home and dumped her destitute and homeless
Bruce Willing, the believer says "......... lets put this very unfortunate women to one side because she needs help and that's not within the Church's gift to give it to her" -Really ?
They 'put her to one side' the Jersey way.
Yes inhuman is a good word for it.
You may question the legality of it but Jersey is like a frontier town. They are the "law" and they pay the sheriffs can raise a posse of like minded people.
Are they going to again politically imprison Ex Health Minister and whistleblower Stuart Syvret?
Watch this space :
http://stuartsyvret.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-crown-judicial-function-in-jersey.html
yes I was still in my nightwear at the airport, nothing changed in two weeks, I wasn't given a bra. The police bundled some unwearable clothes into a bag on the way to the airport, clothes that were due to be thrown away, and I never saw my dayclothes again. HG
DeleteAn excellent post. It looks as if Dame Heather has adopted an attitude of
ReplyDelete“I weigh them against each other, balance the disagreements, analyze the conflicting statements, decide which is probably correct and come to a conclusion”
Rather than going to source and actually speaking to the people involved!
Thanks Tony, yes it is so simple but if HG was interviewed there would be a different outcome which is not what the powers that be want. It is one sided investigation and the report can only be one sided.
DeleteDear Bob, I find this whole issue, extremely upsetting for HG it must be absolutely exhausting for her? How can any Church going person think that this is correct? HG was left destitute left on a plane and dumped in the UK. HG is a human being. Again another report, half done and no-one to take the responsibility. When will Jersey ever learn? where are the leaders? Bob, you are the leader in this... we all know Dame Heather Steel is in the Philip Bailhache brigade, it does not take a clever clogs to know this, her report has not been done correctly, as like the child abuse enquiry, it took a number of reports, a number of years, when if Jersey did it right the first time would have saved hours, money and legal fees! HG, I have a candle here lighting for you, take care my love. x
ReplyDeleteThank you I am sure that HG will appreciate your kind words of support.
Delete"HG now lives on the street and our only means of communication is via email and only when she is able to gain access to broadband at libraries etc."
ReplyDeleteGood grief! Why is she having to live on the street? Why at the very least is there no-one to help her practical needs of a roof over her head?
What is so sad is that a promise of help was given in June but has not been kept.
DeleteDear Zoompad, I cannot cope with indoors because of trauma and I also am afraid to settle because I don't want to be traced and damaged further. HG
Delete"As a non-believer, it saddens me to think that the so-called Christians who were responsible for this won't have to account for their behaviour to their deity"
ReplyDeleteAs a believer, I know they will, and boy o boy are they in for a grilling! No wonder the Bible prophesies the end of days as some people pleading that mountains may fall on them and hide them from their own shame of what they have done!
In my previous Blog HG questioned whether the actions of the leading players was Christian, it is apparent that she is not the only one asking questions, but do the leading players really care?
Delete"Winchester is reported to have committed approximately half a million pounds on a Visitation/Investigation into the Dean’s handling of an allegation of abuse on HG by a Church Warden. "
ReplyDeleteHalf a million pounds!!!! A fraction of that money could have been spent on providing that poor woman with somewhere safe to live!
That would be too simple.
DeleteIf the church had dealt with this properly and not publicly attacked the Jersey Deanery, a lot less money could have been spent and a lot less damage done.
DeleteThe only person, apart from yourself Bob, who comes out with any compassion or empathy in this case appears to be Rev.Gavin Ashenden.
ReplyDeleteIt is a whitewash. Just a reminder to all who live in Jersey, and possibly those viewing who don't live in Jersey, it always seems to be a question of who you know, not what you know in order to get on or to get things done.
ahimsa
HG has already been given 3 public apologies which are insincere and meaningless, so why bother with a 4th.
DeleteReverend Ashenden has not been compassionate in all this, he has personally harmed me even though he has never met me. HG
DeleteIts so much easier now, to see how difficult it must have been to raise the issue in the first place and understandable why she may have acted from pure frustration, in a manner that those concerned could then turn against her.
ReplyDeleteNot exactly good PR for Jersey either, but as I've come to understand, its the Jersey way!
HG hit the same wall that other abuse victims have hit and that is why people like Jimmy Savile was able to get away with it.
DeleteDo I have this right?
ReplyDeleteA vulnerable young woman was abused by a known abuser at her church. The Dean and his wife mishandled this and so did the police, judiciary and now Phil Bailhache's friend Dame Heather. The Church of England has treated the vulnerable victim as a pawn in their game of political control. All those responsible for the mishandling of her abuse case, except for the abuser himself, were paid to be responsible for their role in her mistreatment, and a half million pounds are budgeted for an outcome we can already guess will be flawed by the willful and deliberate ignorance of the victim's direct evidence.
Dame Heather was notified that you, Mr Hill, were the sole representative of H.G. as per H.G.'s choice. You are not paid any compensation for this and are paying your own expenses for travel out of human decency and respect for H.G.
How many paid professionals have had direct decision-making involvement in further harming this, now homeless, victim of abuse through The Church of England?
You are not far off the mark, but by helping HG I hope that it will help to prevent other vulnerable people from becoming victims at the hands of church officials who are allowed operate because vetting procedures have not been implemented,
Delete"vetting procedures" .......... hmmm
DeleteThere's one ... errrrrr ...... "vetting procedure" that is bound to work
youch !
:-O
DeleteMore tea vicar ?
one lump or two ...... ?
........ would you like a biscuit and a paracetamol
DeleteOh how rude of me ! I should have offered you a local
no, please do sit down ..... Oh, you rather lie .... yes, through your teeth if that makes you feel better
oh Lord, if only it were legal! :) it should be legal in abuse cases.
DeleteA series of utterly UNCHRISTIAN CHOICES were made leading to this cruel outcome. The first decision was for a church to allow sexual predation upon a vulnerable person by a known church-affiliated abuser.
ReplyDeleteWe could make a fairly lengthy list of subsequent unethical moves by people who demonstrated no concern for right and wrong or for truth and compassion. This makes me feel ill.
Dame Heather's Terms of Reference do not extend to investigating Jersey's current Safeguarding policy where according to Jan Korris Jersey is sadly out of date and found to be wanting where no police checks have been carried out on any number of the clergy including Church Wardens.
DeleteYou can add Church House to the list as the venue had to be changed when it was known that HG was attending the meeting.
Apart from everything else, What in gods name was the Magistrate up to. Falle swore an oath to treat people fairly and equally, yet when seeing a vulnerable person standing before him in her pajamas, he did not order the police to return her to her home so she could put on some proper cloths and maintain some dignity. Absolutely disgusting treatment by a so called pillar of our society. My heart goes out to HG, no one should suffer this callous behaviour.
ReplyDeleteThe case papers which Dame Heather does not want to see show that many of the decisions to “dispose” of HG were taken behind closed doors.
DeleteThe Charges were altered with the charge relating to the Bishop being dropped so it paved the way to get HG out of the Island. I have 30 years police experience and it is so easy to the read between the lines where the writing pops out in large capital figures and the matter really stinks. But who cares as this is the Jersey Way at its best. Just keep the ranks closed chaps and the matter will go away.
What adds to the hypocrisy is that prayers are said in Court at the start of the day, why do they bother?
why don't all of us sympathisers get together and donate some money, so that HG doesn't have to live on the streets?
ReplyDeleteYes. Or someone who is UK based or has UK based friends who have some knowledge of Autism Spectrum (and are not "touchy-feely"!) offer her shelter.
DeleteOr someone who has UK property that is largely empty offer accommodation say on a restricted tenancy on a peppercorn rent*, at least until she is able to find her feet again.
(* N.B. It is likely that housing benefits would be applicable)
These commitments are not to be taken lightly but perhaps Bob would be prepared to discuss possibilities with anyone prepared and able to help.
There is a twitter account for @churchofengland
ReplyDeleteShould people want to tweet this blog to them
well, they know about the blogs and they don't care.
DeleteDear HG, I am in London, Bob knows me, I'll help you find somewhere to live. Let Bob know and I will give him my UK mobile number, Julie Daly-Wallman x Godbless. It breaks my heart that so much money has been spent on reports and you have no where to live. x
ReplyDeleteThe Bible - John 14.2 - makes a statement.
ReplyDelete" In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you "
Clearly the Dean and affluent members of his church think very little of the words above from their very own bible. The streets of the UK are where vulnerable Jersey churchgoers must be sent, to become destitute and needing shelter, with a little help from friends within the Jersey judicial system.
I suggest that this being the reality, and the appalling way a vulnerable member of the
congregation was treated, that the St Helier town hall should have a proposition placed on the assembly agenda for rate payers ( the majority being not churchgoers ) to vote on.
The St Helier ratepayers, no longer wish to fund a large Mansion that is the residency of the Dean. This would mean, to cease paying for heating oil, electricity, rates, insurance, cleaning, gardening and general maintenance which must take effect from the 1st of January 2014.
This should not be to difficult to get passed sending a clear message by a majority of people who have no interest in the church, but care for their fellow man and women and are concerned exactly what and where their money is being spent.
Boatyboy.
I completely agree, the Dean can see how it feels to be 'homeless'. And It is a disgrace to think that half a million pounds has been spent on reports and HG is homeless.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this ratepayer funded mansion could be sold off to compensate and house H.G. I'm quite serious.
ReplyDeleteSorry folks but I fear that you are getting carried away. I think you will find that the Parish is obligated to house the Dean.
DeleteWell why isn't the Parish also obligated to HG?
ReplyDeleteWhy is the Parish obligated Bob ? If so, it could be changed, there is no such thing as a contract for ever in the real world, even the Queen now pays tax.
ReplyDeleteFrom what you suggest, St Helier parishioners are paying a levy to a wealthy organisation they might not wish to support, and as the funding comes from the residents of St Helier, would not the Constable be bound by the Parish Assembly vote ?
The other part of the Visitation/Investigation which is headed by John Gladwin is looking into the Constitutional situation between Jersey and Winchester which has some peculiar arrangements, some are archaic and should find their way to the dustbin.
DeleteAs a Rate payer you have to pay for the upkeep of Church of England churches and rectories, other religions meet their own expenses.
In Jersey our rectors and Dean have particular responsibilities and privileges within their Parish and in the Island, as an example the Dean has the right to speak in the States even though unelected. You will see they are ex officio members of Parish Roads Committees and have other undated privileges Those in Jersey who are closer to the issue have a deep suspicion of Winchester and are concerned that given the falling attendance in Jersey churches Winchester is considering that perhaps it is time for some churches to close and for rectors to cover more than one parish as is the case in the UK.
I am afraid that the Church has lost is way, or the way it would it would like it to be and its not surprising that people are asking questions and well done for doing so.
Re the Connetable being bound to an Assembly vote, yes he is. At the annual Parish Rates Meeting normally held around July, Rate payers vote money for the upkeep of the Parish Church/Deanery and other expenses that is when you have an opportunity to vote for or against what ever is being proposed.
So the Church of England is the established church in Jersey. Do you have any idea if it completely parallels the situation in the UK or are there differences? I don't know if the UK tax/ratepayer subsidises the CofE.
DeleteJust asking out of interest.
"Why is the Parish obligated Bob ?" ......... I think it is actually written into one of one of the Team Bailache laws. Jersey Cannons whatever-it-was.
DeleteIf the St.Helier ratepayers refuse to house, heat and pamper the church-fat-cats the parish will be prosecuted under Jersey Cannons.
Applies to the other parishes too, I think.
The Parish is obligated because everyone has a birth certificate, the document that enslaves you to the system, and courtesy of the damnation of the Church. The Church issued a decree many many centuries ago called "Unum Sanctum" whereby they claimed ownership of every man, and more importantly, their souls. After researching "Unum Sanctum" you will understand why the Pope wears a Trireme, and who those honourable Popes were who refused to be crowned with the Trireme. The Trireme indicates another three laws decreed via Papal Bulls which they put upon man, inevitably enslaving man to the last detail of their wealth, soul, and rights. Every restriction and statutory law on the planet that hinders man's self belief and progression is down to the Church....The Vatican.
DeleteThe Evil of the World....Don't believe me?
Take a good look and listen RIGHT HERE.
Sorry to be so blunt Bob, but the flock of sheeple really need waking up mate....Respects :)
As an aside, for those of you who doubt the rantings of myself and other well researched scholars, every Papal Bull was written on the skin extracted from dead children....DO THE RESEARCH before you respond with comments of hatred toward me....Thanks
DeleteEvery institution has its Mafia and the Church of England is no different. At present we have Winchester and Jersey involved in a power struggle and don’t care who they harm to achieve their goal.
DeleteAstute as ever Bob :)
DeleteYou truly are a good man amongst gentlemen....
Thank you Julie Daly-Wallman @29 October 2013 16:19
ReplyDeleteBob, it would be great if let us know if anything comes of this.
HG has presumably currently made London her home. This may suit her and she may know people there. I would ask whether London is the most suitable place for her and obviously accommodation there is particularly expensive and difficult.
Winter is fast approaching and the more options the better.
HG, how would you feel about starting out somewhere new ?
Anywhere - Cornwall, Liverpool ?
Maybe even back in Jersey, if that is not too crazy a suggestion ?
I am not HG but know from her replies that she is not in London and seems not to want to reveal her whereabouts.
Delete
DeleteBob Hill31 October 2013 19:07
I can confirm the comment above and also state that HG has not been well these past days but is appreciative of the moral support readers have been giving her.
This is very good question, may we have some answers please...So the Church of England is the established church in Jersey. Do you have any idea if it completely parallels the situation in the UK or are there differences? I don't know if the UK tax/ratepayer subsidises the CofE.
ReplyDeletePerhaps one of our UK readers will tell us.
DeleteThe closest things to any subsidy in England would be the Gift Aid scheme, which allows charities to reclaim from the taxman the basic-rate income tax that had been paid on donations - which then adds 25% to the value of much of the congregation's giving to the church. There's also an English Heritage/Lottery grant scheme for repairs (urgent structural repairs) to listed places of worship, and a scheme that reimburses listed places of worship for VAT on certain building repairs.
DeleteEach church (PCC) is be asked to pay a certain amount each year (typically called the "quota" or "common fund" or similar) to their Diocese. (My church pays approx £40k, which is about 60% of what we cost the Diocese). The Diocese will then pay the clergy (and pensions etc.) via the Church Commissioners, who run the clergy payroll from London. Our £40k is topped up from other larger churches in the Diocese (there's one very near here who pay the Diocese about £250k a year), plus a little from Diocesan investments and from the Church Commissioners investments. The Diocese is responsible for the structure of the Rectory, and the parish for decorating.
The Church Commissioners, who look after the Church of England's central assets and investments, pay directly for pensions for service before 1997, for Bishops' costs, towards Cathedral clergy costs, plus some limited and targeted funding towards parish church clergy costs.
Church building running costs and repairs are the responsibility of the church (PCC) themselves along with whatever they can gather in the way of grant funding including those mentioned at the top. Not that we've had any of the EH/HLF funding here.
Hope that helps a bit!
Thank you Richard the info is most helpful. Polo raised the matter and I did call into my parish hall yesterday to ask how much our rate payers contributed to parish church costs but the hall was closed. Will try to get some costs to day.
DeleteIn Jersey most parishes publish a Rate Book which records how much each rate payer pays and it also shows where the money is spent. Therefore it is not difficult to see how much the church receives.
If anyone in Jersey is free to pop into their Parish Hall to get a Rate Book it would be helpful to know what amount the rate payers contributed towards the running of their Parish Church.
I managed to get a copy of the Parish of Trinity 2013 Rates Book. I don't know how many households there are but there around 2,700 voters. I am one of them but it is some years since we last had an election for Connetable and Deputy because they are always re-elected unopposed.
DeleteWe parishioners have to find £85,000 to meet the cost of repairs, maintenance and insurance for our parish church and rectory this year. Most Parishes put a set sum aside each year to pay for running costs.
There must be times when one asks what do we really get for our money particular if one is a Catholic, Methodist or of other religions?
Perhaps openly calling into question the public financial support for any organisation caught abusing or covering up abuse contrary to its own stated mission would be a good place to start.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, you can be sure that the investigation will not find any abuse.
DeleteHas HG been interviewed by Dame Heather Steel? and can I also confirm that on the JEP advert Dame Heather Steel produced that people were actually able to contact her? I'd like some responses so I can see how we can next proceed with this so called Dame Heather Steel report, if she is reading this blog then perhaps she can answer my questions....
ReplyDeleteNo HG has not been seen by Dame Heather, that fact is reported in my Blog above which also records that Dame Heather does not believe that HG has anything to add to the information she has already received.
DeleteWhat it means is what the Dean and the church rector have said cannot be contradicted.
There is very little any one can do as Dame Heather is a judge in her own cause.
I believe that HG had an offer some time ago of a free home in jersey, one of my mates made the offer, the offer is still in place as far as i am aware.
ReplyDeleteyes and HG appreciates the offer, but HG would not be particularly safe in Jersey after what has happened.
Deletehttp://ricosorda.blogspot.com/2013/10/le-rocquier-school-culture-of_30.html
ReplyDeletePart 3
rs
Yes, there was some kind person who made the offer via a Blog, not sure whether HG was aware of it but given the treatment meted out one wonders whether she would want to return to an Island riddled with hypocrisy and bigotry.
ReplyDeleteWe should be paying tax, we should be paying for electricity and all the utilities we use but I agree with this comment,
ReplyDelete30 October 2013 18:31
Perhaps openly calling into question the public financial support for any organisation caught abusing or covering up abuse contrary to its own stated mission would be a good place to start.
As a St Helier rate payer, how can we be conned into paying for other peoples, beliefs, temples and administration, when it is absolutely nothing to do with the majority who have little or zero interest.
I vote the CofE pay for their own church and staff, period. Bring it on next July at the rates assembly. It is also election year and let us see how brave Senator Bailhache is, should he appose the will of the majority if the vote is upheld.
Following the comments above I think readers are now more informed as to where some of their parish rates are going too and if unhappy, can do something about it at the annual Rates Meeting.
DeleteBob I am not sure what people can do without a change to the law? The Parish is obliged to set a rate that will cover its costs and is also currently obliged to pay for its church, rectory and expenses.
DeleteYes, your are probably right and the Parish has certain responsibilities enshrined in law, but parishioners still have a say in some matters as recently experienced in St Martin's when they had to vote on whether to sell or renovate their Rectory.
DeleteI am really sorry to read that HG has not been well. Can we not do something to help her? This is a shocking situation. I don't have much money but can certainly spare some time.
ReplyDelete"Dear Bob, I met with HG today and spent a number of hours with her and I found her extremely sincere. For a young woman who has been through such a lot.
ReplyDeleteI do hope Dame Heather Steel gives HG another chance to meet with her, HG may get angry sometimes, well why wouldn't she?
I hope my friendship with HG lasts forever, she has quite a journey to climb but I am sure with her inner strength and continued support from you and others she will find her way"
It remains the case that Dame Steel tried to access my court documents for no apparent reason as she was not investigating my arrest and deportation. HG
ReplyDeleteNow, lets all email the Dame and see how many emails she can 'lose'.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that the above is a tongue in cheek comment. Please only contact Dame Heather if you have a genuine query.
DeleteBob you are doing sterling work, and sending an email is very easy. As suggested by another poster what a great idea. Would you please publish her email address. No doubt it is in the public domain.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Yes, Dame Heather's email is in the public domain and is heather.steel@churchofengland.org but please only ask questions which are pertinent to the investigation.
Delete9. Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –
ReplyDelete“Will the Minister explain to members whether the woman known as HG within the Korris Report, was bound over to leave the Island and, if so, would he advise whether she was removed from the Island in her pyjamas and left destitute at a United Kingdom airport?”
Well done Deputy Higgins. 5th November States of Jersey
Are you all aware of the link between the home affairs minister and HG? do you expect in a million years to get a straight answer? HG
DeleteI am sure that I am not the only one who is pleased that Deputy Mike Higgins is asking the question and well done to him.
DeleteThe arrest, detention and removal from Jersey were a disgraceful acts by the Church, the police, social services, legal aid system and judiciary. Not only do those bodies wish to hide from their responsibilities but Winchester via Dame Heather Steel is now paying her to bury the matter. That is evident in my Blog above. Unless the matter is properly investigated it will remain as stain on the reputation of the Church of England and the Island of Jersey.
HG is right to draw attention to the link between the Home Affairs Minister and herself and to ask whether he will give straight answers. He did not do well at all with his answers in relation to the scandalous suspension of the former police chief.
Does Deputy Higgins have the information at hand so he can combat the spin that will come from the Home Affairs Minister? The Minister will go on about anything other than what is being asked. The Deputy must stick to the question and not be swayed. If HG was infact treated and left as you say Bob let us all now look at the answer that will be given in the states theis Tuesday. This is the Culture of Concealment being laid bare. The spotlight now falls on the Home Affairs Minister - we await the first act.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rico for drawing reader's attention to the question. Mike is well versed and hopefully so too will the usual suspects, like Deputies Tadier, Southern, and the Pitmans who seem to be the only members who ask difficult questions.
DeleteIt would be helpful if the many States Members who claim to be Christians came in with some supplementary questions, but they may be too embarrassed in case they offend Senator Bailhache and co.
Months back as reported in my Blogs I had asked the Chief Minister, Senator Gorst to look at the matter but my request fell on deaf ears.
well his boss wouldn't allow it.
DeleteToo true - it really is absolutely pathetic!
DeleteComment @ 07:14. 2nd November 2013 re Deputy Higgins question in the states on Tuesday, I think I could put money down with Honest Nev, that he will not get an answer, He will be told that as the inquiry is still on-going it would not be in order to comment on the question. If this is the result I suggest that by way of protest to questions without answers ,as many members as possible should leave the house and retire to the rest room for a while to bring the sitting to a halt.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Honest Nev would take your bet on but if he did the odds would not be favourable.
Delete'When I spoke to the Archbishop's Correspondent he said that Dame Heather Steel's report is only about the constitution of the COE and the Canon Law. So no States Member can say ' otherwise'.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid to say but the officer has got it wrong. John Gladwin is looking into the Constitutional issue not Dame Heather she is looking what if any discipline action should be taken against the Dean and Rector/Curate.
DeleteHe may be right about States Member's having very little say in the matter except for people like Senator Bailhache.
Dame Heather Steel has a huge conflict of interest in that she is known to Sir Philip Bailhache, so her report will hold '0' in the eyes of most. Her report will never be taken seriously. I would very much Bob like to hear the recording you had with her in your meeting. Or the written transcript.
ReplyDeleteUntil we receive Dame Heather's report it is difficult to pre-judge other than to say that she does appear to be conflicted and as she has failed to interview HG and the Church Warden it will be difficult to see what credibility it will have.
DeleteDear Bob, I'm writing to you as I have spent quite some time reading your blog and the Korris Report. I feel that I would like to write to you some observations if I may. HG is a woman who has been sent from pillar to post. She is one person. One person. So many people are involved now, Sir Philip Bailhache to many others... My worry is how is HG? how is she dealing with all of this? is she getting the support 'she wants'? It feels like the Korris Report that I have read needs to link with an 'action plan'. What steps are being taken to ensure that the COE can carry out their role in safeguarding people like HG so this never happens again. If this does not happen than all of HG's suffering will have been for nothing. Why can't people like Philip Bailhache look at the human suffering involved here, not his legal power! his battle to fight against anyone or anything that questions Jersey Law, it's about time now and I have read this Canon Law put in place quite conveniently to stop the COE from interfering. It's time now for real change, simple measures to give the COE in Jersey guidance from COE in the UK that matches the rules in the UK to see that the mistakes made never happen again to a person, one person, one being again! Let's work together, let's stop this infighting and lets make change now for the better. Let's not have the powerful few tell us how it should be, HG has suffered enough. No more, no more! enough is enough!
ReplyDeleteSir Philip Bailhache is a very powerful Man, he knows Jersey Law inside out, he moves in high places, so I know people are afraid of him. Let's not be afraid, let's stand up and be counted. Let's see people really come together and make a difference. I don't honestly think Philip Bailhache knows he's doing it, he and his brother have been doing so much controlling over Jersey for so long now, we can't actually remember what has not been controlled by them and what hasn't anymore, we have lost our way. I don't hate Philip and William, I just feel they have controlled Jersey and sadly not to the good. Jersey is such a small Island it needs to ensure 'we don't have conflicts of interest in areas' we all know should not be. Let's start really making a stand, we all know of situations that 'are wrong' about Jersey, let's stop ignoring these thoughts, let's face them. Let's not walk away from them, that's the easy part, let's face them. So we can really make a difference.
ReplyDeleteRe the two comments above about Philip and William Bailhache. As a States Member for 18 years I came into contact with them regularly, we had our differences and our backgrounds are vastly different but I would not change mine for theirs.
DeleteThe higher up the ladder people climb the more remote some people become and they lose the common touch.
I don’t have a problem with Senator Bailhache assisting the Dean but he would have gained far more Brownie points and respect if he had also used his undoubted influence to persuade the Bishops and Dean to display some humility by personally apologising to HG and insisting that the Church of England did something tangible to help her to acquire the lifestyle she enjoyed before she became a victim of the Church Warden, Church, Police and Judiciary.
Quite simply, there is no chance any honest report could clear anyone of wrong doing because nothing has been done about the vulnerable woman victimised by a church warden who was subsequently harmed further by all and sundry in the long and tragic course of NOT addressing her complaint. Not only is the Dame Heather entirely conflicted, anything but a formal finding that all individuals and institutions involved have systematically failed to safeguard HG's well-being as a church victim would have to be considered a whitewash, given where HG is now.
ReplyDeleteThank you , so succinct and so true.
DeleteI absolutely agree, everyone has let this young woman down, everybody! everybody!
ReplyDeleteSo what happens next? who is the first to try and make a difference to HG's life. who?
Bob has made a difference, Bob has made amazing efforts to help and support me, and he has never been obliged to in any way, he has helped me while the Church of England have continued to harm me. HG
Delete"All child abuse, wherever it happens, is scandalous, but it is the unjustified and remorseless denigration of Jersey and her people that is the real scandal".
ReplyDeleteSir Philip Bailhache May 9th 2008
Says it all
rs
When commenting on the Korris account of HG’s arrest Senator Bailhache wrote; “I have read the transcript of the proceedings and it is clear that the Magistrate acted with appropriate care and compassion throughout.”
DeleteSir Philip Bailhache’s public letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury dated 26tth March 2013.
Given the two comments above can one rely on Sir Philip’s judgement?
Bob, it is difficult to read all your blogs documenting the mistreatment of HG by the powerful of this island and then by their courts and not come to the conclusion that they are deserving of contempt.
ReplyDeletehttp://voiceforchildren.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/contempt-of-unlawful-court.html
Few will disagree with you.
DeleteReaders will have difficulty in opening the link you have submitted and I am grateful to Voiceforchildren for submitting a Link below which will open when readers click on to it.
Bob.
ReplyDeleteLINK
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/04/jersey-stuart-syvret-jailed-blog-allegations
ReplyDelete“None of the four individuals named has ever attempted to sue Syvret for defamation. Instead, the data protection commissioner in Jersey, Emma Martins, has prosecuted him under the Data Protection Act.
She argues, highly unusually, that Syvret is the "data controller" of his blog (a position usually held in a large corporation) and that he has no right to name and shame people on his blog, whether or not the information he reveals about them is correct.”
An interesting read and it seems that if it's heads Stuart losers and if its tails the other side wins.
Deletehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/jersey/8498042.stm
ReplyDelete4 February 2010 Call for public inquiry over Graham Power suspension
There should be a public inquiry into the way Jersey's chief police officer was suspended, a politician in the island has said.
Graham Power was suspended in 2008 amid allegations about his handling of the investigations linked to the Haut de la Garenne children's home.
Deputy Bob Hill now wants the States to set up a committee of inquiry.
Some of the lies told by our politicians are documented here:
http://ricosorda.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-transcript-of-in-camera-debate.html
The suspension of Jersey's chief police officer was based on lies.
The politicised imprisonment of Former Health Minister Stuart Syvret is just another part of this cover up which can only bring further shame and derision upon our island.
Imprisoning a whistleblower on the grounds that it is “data” for publishing vital public interest information. If it is not true they would have used Jersey’s very severe laws on libel.
Children in Jersey are not safe until we have got to the bottom of the illegal suspension of Jersey's chief police officer Graham Power.
Deletehttp://stuartsyvret.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/unlawful-coup-against-police-chief.html
Let’s face it, looking at HG’s experience in Jersey, NONE of us are safe until we have an non-politicised judiciary and police force. Most of us just keep our heads down and try to keep our faith in the corrupted system. This works until your luck runs out …you just have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or get in the wrong person’s way.
If you condone this corrupted system you sell your children into it. And if you are religious you also sell your soul unto it and can look forward to justifying yourself in a higher court than our dysfunctional feudal courts.
Undoubtadly Syvret has made mistakes -who hasn’t ?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJo9JbZ3z-o
Who do you believe, and would you put your head on the block as many times as he has ?
Or even once ?
On twitter:
#FreeSyvretNow
Bob
ReplyDeleteI am confused about the circumstances surrounding HG's binding over.
I heard Deputy Higgins' question yesterday re the taking her to the Airport in her pyjamas etc. I also heard ILM's emphatic response to the effect that this simply was not the case as she had been in prison for two weeks etc.
Leaving aside for the moment the question of whether she should have spent any time in prison, let alone 2 weeks, what is the truth of the "deportation" issue. ILM seemed very sure of his facts and was quoting from the court transcript.
I have a great deal of sympathy for HG but the true circumstances surrounding this unhappy saga should be established - otherwise bloggers will be again accused of spreading sensationalist lies!
Senator Le Marquand was quite confident when reading from the transcript but what went on behind the scenes would not stand up to close scrutiny that’s why Dame Heather does not want to speak to HG or see the documentation which will prove that the reason to kick HG out of Jersey was over the top and contrived.
DeleteSenator Le Marquand got it completely wrong when he said HG left for the airport properly attired, please see H’Gs comments below. She was there, you can bet that neither Dame Heather nor Senator Le Marquand were there.
On arriving at the Prison I imagine HG would be given prison attire. On departure her clothing returned.
ReplyDeleteNo, I was left with my pyjamas, except when they gave me a grey tracksuit and washed my pyjamas, I never had a bra at any point, maybe being on remand may mean you keep your clothes, although most of the women there were in dayclothes of their own, but I did remain in my own pyjamas without a bra most of the time. I do not think the staff realised and I was so bewildered that I did not know that I should have been given my glasses and wasn't and I spent some days without my glasses and unable to see before the staff realised, but I never asked about clothes, I was deeply bewildered and sick with distress and trauma. HG
DeleteI can assure you that when I was deported I was in the same clothes, my pyjamas, that I was wearing when I was arrested. The only change in clothes I had was a prison tracksuit while they washed my pyjamas, and I wasn't given a bra at all in prison, I did indeed arrive at the airport and in Southampton in the night clothes that I was arrested in and lacking in underwear, I was not even given time or opportunity to change into the unwearable clothes that the police got from my home, which were clothes I had put aside to dispose of as unwearable. I am not sure how the transcript can change the fact that I was in pyjamas. HG
ReplyDeleteThank you HG for putting the record straight, perhaps some States Member will ask Senator Le Marquand withdraw the answer he gave in the States yesterday.
DeleteI doubt anyone will ask him and I doubt that he will, honesty and fairness is the last thing on the minds of the Jersey Deanery, of which Ian LeMarquand is part, as a church reader and synod member and friend churchwarden EY.
DeleteIf true, that is yet another outrageous conflict of interest.
DeleteUnder such circumstances, Ian Le Marquand should have declared the conflict and asked his assistant minister, Lyndon Farnham, to answer.
Surely a complaint to PPC is in order?
Where can I read the transcript of the answer given by Ian Le Marquand to Deputy Higgins question?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately the Jersey Hansard system is not as efficient as the House of Commons so it could be a week or two before it is published. It is a question of cost, I am told that the sooner the States wants the transcript the more it costs.
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for the transcript of my meeting with Dame Heather Steel which is now two weeks ago.
May we see this transcript when you have it?
ReplyDeleteI timed the particular question and answer session and it took 10 minutes. We have been fortunate in the past in that The Jersey Way has been able to record some questions and published them as audio recordings on his site. Unfortunately there was a problem so the session was not recorded.
DeleteI will ensure that a transcript is available once it has been published on the States website.
It will be published here in a few days time
Deletehttp://www.statesassembly.gov.je/Pages/Hansard.aspx
I tried to hear the states question in relation to HG yesterday and today, I was not able to get access for some reason on the Jersey radio site, can you send us a link so we can hear both please. thanks
ReplyDeleteI think you find that its best to go to Channel TV who do a good job of streaming the States sittings.
DeleteBob and HG
ReplyDeleteThank you for responding to my question about the pyjamas. I really do hope that Mike Higgins does not let this matter rest.
ILM in this matter, as in many others (especially the Graham Power "scandal") appears to be either wholly unconcerned with facts, completely negligent or thoroughly duplicitous - possibly all three in equal measure!
I am not fully acquainted with all the facts but, as I hinted in my question, I find it incredible in this day and age that HG was imprisoned at all let alone for 2 weeks. Such treatment is, on the face of it, barbaric.
If indeed HG was discharged from prison and taken to the airport in her pyjamas/nightwear and then dumped penniless and without proper clothes in Southampton then this is what I call a scandal.
Those States Members who support such treatment either openly or tacitly should be thoroughly ashamed. I suppose it will be left to the usual "troublemakers" to take up the cudgels once again - thereby further damaging Jersey's fine international reputation by their anarchic behaviour.
Come on States Members - at least pretend you have some common decency. Grow a backbone - you'll find that you sleep more easily at night with a clear conscience. Or are you that afraid of losing face with the "people that matter"?
It seems that no-one in authority wants to believe the truth, but the matter will not go away until those responsible give a full explanation.
DeleteIt is evident that no thought was given to HG's health or welfare when she arrived in the UK.
It was disappointing that apart from Deputy Trevor Pitman asking a question no other States Member saw it fit to ask any questions on the matter. Where were the lady Members.
I know that the current Deputy of St Martin's spoke but his question was why Deputy Higgins had not spoken privately to Ian Le Marquand about the matter. Clearly the matter is disturbing and not one that does any good for the Island's reputation so some Members would prefer that the matter is not raised or it is, it should be behind closed doors.
“I know that the current Deputy of St Martin's spoke but his question was why Deputy Higgins had not spoken privately to Ian Le Marquand about the matter.”
DeleteThere is just a possibility that Deputy Higgins expected to be lied to.
If he is to be lied to perhaps Deputy Higgins prefers to be lied to in public.
A lie in private can itself be later denied.
Was Deputy Higgins lied to ………………….?
Perhaps it could be that Deputy Higgins was not lied to but Senator Le Marquand was being economical with the truth. Like Dame Heather Steel he refused to believe that HG was removed from the Island in her pyjamas.
DeleteHG will tell you that she was in her pyjamas and neither Dame Heather nor Senator Le Marquand has sought clarification from her.
Surely as Judges they should have clarified the position before shooting from the hip.
There will no doubt be CCTV footage of HG going through passport control/immigration in both Jersey and Southampton in her pyjamas. Her date of travel is known so it should be simple to request the footage.
DeleteI have no reason not to believe what HG is saying, it seems to be that because certain people hold senior positions what they say is taken as gospel but they are mere mortals and it is for them to disprove what HG is saying.
DeleteYou wonder whether the police officers involved with the arrest or transportation to the airport have been asked and if they were would they remember.
The police in question were busy talking about a 'bird' that one of them had met at a party. HG
DeleteHi Bob,
ReplyDeletejust put up the Audio of the BBC doing a job on the Pitmans. You and your reader's can Listen HERE
Also the Question's that you asked for are up on another Posting.
TJW.
Thanks Jersey Way, I could not find the questions on your website, please could you let me know where they are.
DeleteCome on States Members get some backbone and lets get to the real heart of what happened to HG and most importantly where it started, until we get to the beginning of the abuse that happened to her in Jersey. Her treatment was to say the least appalling.
ReplyDeleteThe transcript of the Mike Higgins questions is now available on the States Website. I need to check some of the answers and hope to publish the questions and answers along with comments as a Blog after the weekend.
DeleteHG's treatment is very much an indication of the politicisation of our courts.
ReplyDeleteHouse of Commons - Early Day Motion 685 - tabled by John Hemming MP on the 6th of November 2013:
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/685
IMPRISONMENT OF EX-SENATOR STUART SYVRET IN JERSEY
That this House notes that Stuart Syvret who was previously elected as a senator in Jersey has been imprisoned for three months for making allegations on his blog about ****** *******, ***** *****, ***** ****** and ******** ******** *******, who had previously obtained a super-injunction against him under the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005; further notes that the use of this law would cover all allegations whether they are true or not; believes that this is a chilling affront to freedom of speech and that before someone could be imprisoned for making allegations it should be shown that the allegations made are not true; further notes that Jersey still does not have a system of private prosecution, nor does it have the facility to judicially review prosecutory decisions; recognises that this means if people who are friends with those in power have committed criminal acts it is impossible to have those issues considered in an open court and that it is clear that the state will move to imprison people for making allegations about criminal offences not being prosecuted whether or not this is true; further believes that the Government should not be so complacent about the institutional failures in Jersey; and calls for Ministers to review the situation and report to Parliament.
Unbelievably this currently only has one signature.
Have the party whips been busy behind the scenes and has nothing been learned as history repeats itself ?
……. and repeats itself.
Why have Syvret’s allegations not been tested in open court?
The innocent child victims of the likes of Savile do not deserve it, but the complacent do.
but I would not wish even their children’s existence to be so soiled and blighted.
DeleteWhen giving an answer to one of Deputy Mike Higgins question in the States on Tuesday Senator Le Marquand made much of quoting from the Court Transcript in relation to the support HG apparently received but failed to mention that at the first Hearing the magistrate twice said that it was not a run of the mill case.
Indeed it was not a run of the mill case but it was a political one where no mention was made as to who was harassed. At the second Hearing the mitigation was almost non existent where HG was just a puppet who did not understand what was going on around her. Why did her Advocate suggest binding HG over to leave the Island where she would be destitute.
Surely it was in HG's interest to plead not guilty and let the Dean and Bishop prove their allegation. If found guilty, the Advocate could have called for a binding over to keep the peace, this would have enabled HG to return to her flat and job, what was the logic of kicking her out of the Island for 3 years when still in her pyjamas and left destitute.
I was given no choice about pleading and did not understand what was going on. HG
DeletePage 9 of the Jersey Evening Post 8th Nov 2013.
ReplyDeleteSentenced woman 'not flown to UK in pyjamas' By Philip Jordan.
I am not sure if Ian publish the article on his blog or whether he has now ceased blogging. If not I will save the article and try and type tomorrow.
We wish Ian well.
DeleteI know he had some health problems, some of which he attributes to the stress of his decades of fighting for better justice on this island.
I hope he is okay. It would be nice if Ian or someone who knows him was able to post some reassurance.
It may be that he is just exhausted form the years of hard work he has put in. Some of this work being extremely well thought out and very valuable in getting the truths out.
Some of you may agree with his rather odd views on vaccination and on climate change risk being a con, and a few with his “chemtrails” publications.
To be fair, while they seem unlikely I can’t ‘prove’ that these fringe theories are false and at the outset it is difficult to believe that people in authority would allow vulnerable people and children to be abused……….but they do, and then they try to hide these truths.
Ian Evans will always be a hero of the fight for truth and justice on this island.
His blog was an acquired taste, perhaps the ‘marmite’ of blogs.
We wish him the best of health and happiness.
Viva the “rough diamond”
I was not aware that Ian was ill and am sorry to hear the news. I wish him a speedy recovery.
DeleteReport in the JERSEY EVENING POST Friday 8 November.
ReplyDeleteBy Philip Jordan
CLAIMS that a woman was taken to the Airport in her pyjamas after being ordered by the Magistrate's Court to leave Jersey have strongly been denied by the Home Affairs Minister.
Senator Ian Le Marquand also said accusations that the woman was not allowed to gather any possessions from her home before flying to the UK were completely unfounded.
The claims were made by St. helier Deputy Mike Higgins in the Sates this week.
Deputy Higgins was referring to the same woman whose complaint of abuse by a churchwarden led to Jersey's Dean being suspended.
Deputy Higgins told Members that the woman who was referred to as HG in reports about the alleged abuse, was flown to the UK in her pyjamas and that she had no money or means of getting home on arrival in Southampton.
He claimed that the incident would be a stain on the Island. But in response, Senator Le Marquand said that the woman was charged and had pleaded guilty to harassment.
He said HG was appropriately dressed when she was sentenced and the idea that she would have been allowed into Court in her pyjamas was 'farcical'/
He added that officers assisted HG in the gathering possessions from where she was staying and that she was receiving support from two friends who were on holiday in Jersey at the time she was bound over to leave the Island.
'Deputy Higgins' information is totally inaccurate and overlooks the fact that this woman was imprisoned for two weeks before being bound over to leave the Island,' he said.
The actions taken are in accord with what I would expect.
I will shortly be publishing a blog on the questions and will comment on the answers given .
DeleteIt is looking as though there is another Power/Napier scenario coming up where lies will be believed because of who is telling them rather than the truth being told by the "plebs."
I was in my pyjamas, and apart from my passport and some unwearable clothes, my posessions were left in Jersey. Also, I pleaded what I was told and had no real say or understanding about the situation.HG
DeleteIf it comes to you or Le Marquand, it is you I believe, HG.
DeleteDear HG, I believe you and I know so many others that believe you too. Bob, what can be done here? what do we need to do to ensure HG is given 'a voice?'. Take care HG. Look after yourself. It seems HG has not been able to put her story out there to the right people, how can this be done?
ReplyDeleteHG was either pyjamas or not in pyjamas, why would HG lie about this? she has nothing to gain by this, Jersey has everything to loose by this..... I believe HG. Nothing surprises me anymore in Jersey.
ReplyDeleteI doubt whether Senator Le Marquand was aware of HG’s arrest and deportation until recently.
DeleteHe had an opportunity to contact HG between the time when Deputy Higgins lodged his question and the Senator had to answer to ensure that he was fully briefed to give an accurate account.
Unfortunately he has relied on Hearsay Evidence. Was that a wise move from a former Magistrate?
ILM answer ''He said HG was appropriately dressed when she was sentenced and the idea that she would have been allowed into Court in her pyjamas was 'farcical'/''
ReplyDeleteAgain ILM not answering the question. Mr Higgins did not ask if HG wore pyjamas in court.
ILM states ''He added that officers assisted HG in the gathering possessions from where she was staying and that she was receiving support from two friends who were on holiday in Jersey at the time she was bound over to leave the Island.''
Again Ian Le Marquand avoids answering the question.
Ian Le Marquand states 'Deputy Higgins' information is totally inaccurate and overlooks the fact that this woman was imprisoned for two weeks before being bound over to leave the Island,'
How is Deputy Higgins overlooking facts when he simply wants the answer to his question.
Deputy Higgins question below. Clear precise unanswered.
“Will the Minister explain to members whether the woman known as HG within the Korris Report, was bound over to leave the Island and, if so, would he advise whether she was removed from the Island in her pyjamas and left destitute at a United Kingdom airport?”
Ask yourself why its so difficult for him to answer.
I am told that Senator Le Marquand has been specially chosen for the next "Strictly Come Dancing" series on the strength of his ability to side step everything that comes before him.
DeleteYou have made some valid points and I hope to elaborate on them when I publish my next Blog which be on the question and answer session.
Must see
ReplyDeletehttp://ricosorda.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/stuart-syvret-jersey-judiciary-data.html
Especially "judge made law"
The service at the cenotaph this morning was led by the Dean Bob Key, during his closing prayers he asked God to grant the Island PEACE,TRUTH,JUSTICE,can anyone tell me does God actually grant this, but it falls on deaf ears of some of his clergy , or does he take no notice at such a request?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately justice is really only for the privileged as evidenced by the support given to the Dean compared with that received by HG.
Delete11 hours ago
ReplyDeleteBob Hill Jersey Blog
- Last Tuesday Deputy Higgins asked an Oral question of Senator Le Marquand the Minister for Home Affairs relating to HG'S arrest and removal from Jersey fo...
11 hours ago
Have you posted a new blog post on voiceforchildren sidebar the above link shows as a new posting 11 hours ago yet I cant link to it?
I have been drafting a new Blog which I hope to post tomorrow, but earlier today I must have inadvertently pressed the publish key.
DeleteSorry for the confusion.
RE the conversation starting 9 November 2013 00:16 & concerns over Ian's health and welfare.
ReplyDeleteRecent reassuring comment from
http://ricosorda.blogspot.com/2013/11/stuart-syvret-jersey-judiciary-data.html?showComment=1384284586214#c3732085070135070907
"Big Ian is all right, social are expecting him to survive on £50 per week obviously he couldn't afford to pay his broadband on that pittance so it has been cut off.
The message from social is clear, don't have a heart attack in Jersey because if that don't kill you, they will finish you off.
cyril"
".... I know [Ian] had some health problems, some of which he attributes to the stress of his decades of fighting for better justice on this island....."
I saw the pictures Ian put on his blog
"health problems" includes the heart attack & resultant operation which left Ian with stitches virtually from chin to groin - Ian must be made from tough stuff to survive that !
Ian's blog visitor numbers currently lie at 868,268
In the bizarre carousel that is Jersey Justice, Ian's very first blog entry was:
http://therightofreply.blogspot.com/2010/10/defiant-syvret-fights-to-last.html
"The rough diamond” is missed by his many readers and will hopefully be back online soon to fight the good fight if he still has the energy for it.
yeah, we miss you Ian
DeleteIan is indeed a rough diamond and is a valued Blogger, I too send my best wishes and for a speedy recovery.
Delete