Tuesday 27 January 2015

Jersey's Dean--- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.


Sir Michael Birt has just retired after twenty years service to the Island serving as Attorney General, Deputy Bailiff and for the past five and half years as Bailiff. As is customary he was asked of the highs and lows during his term of office. When speaking of the lows he cited the difficulties encountered by the Dean and the way in which he had been suspended, the split from Winchester and failure of Bishop Dakin to publish the Steel Report.

I always found Sir Michael to be fair and courteous and respect his views above however I can think of lows that would come far higher on my list. Given that the Dean was party to much of his own misfortunes of which he has admitted and apologised for he can hardly be seen as an innocent bystander. The Bishop of Winchester has publicly stated that no disciplinary action is being taken against the Dean or his colleague but has not said that the Dean has been exonerated of any wrongdoings as reported by some of the media. The Bishop has also stated that the Steel Report highlighted a number of significant concerns about safeguarding in Jersey. As the Dean is the Head of the Island's clergy is he not responsible for the concerns?

When it comes to suspensions I can think of dozens of ordinary States employees who have been suspended yet when I sought support for them to be represented by a friend at disciplinary meetings, I failed through lack of support. Among those suspended were equally illustrious employees such as the former police chief who was left on suspension for over 18 months until his retirement day whereby he was effectively dismissed by stealth. There was also the senior gynaecologist who was left suspended for far longer whereby he was deskilled. However unlike the Dean their plight was not worthy of support from the perceived great and the good. When propositions seeking support for enquiries into the suspension of the police chief and gynaecologist they were vigorously opposed, where is the consistency, where is the fair play? 

The failure of the Council of Ministers led by the Chief Minister to support the proposition to establish a committee of inquiry into Jersey’s historic child abuse must come high up on everyone's the list of lows. The disturbing reports coming from the Inquiry is not only justifying the decision to establish the Committee of Inquiry but says very little for those who opposed or were silent when it came to supporting the proposition.

Sir Michael also commented on the split form the Diocese of Winchester. The split was down to Dean and the Bishop of Winchester being unable to work together. Where was the peace and conciliation and how could Canterbury consider the vanity of two of its senior members to be greater than 500 years of tradition? 

Regarding the issue of the publication of the Steel Report, whilst I can understand concerns being raised about the delay the more serious concerns should be why was the conflicted Dame Steele appointed in the first place? Also why did the Terms of Reference not include the arrest at the Dean’s behest, of the lady at the heart of complaint and her eventual deportation and being left destitute at Southampton airport on a cold October evening? One may also ask why Dame Heather did not interview the lady concerned or give me the transcript as promised of my meeting with her in which she was uncomplimentary to HG.

It should also be noted that the Bishop had been advised to carry out an Impact Assessment to consider the likely impact of the Report on HG. He has assembled a small group of suitably qualified professionals to carry out an assessment and would be providing them with a copy of the report and other relevant information once he had received Counsel’s advice. He was asking them to advise him how the Steel Report can be published in such a way as to minimise the impact on ‘HG’ and the risk of harm to her. If the Report is likely to harm HG how Christian is it to press for its publication?

Radio Jersey has reported that following its enquiry with the Bishop's PR company a spokesman said "We don't yet have a date for publication, as the Steel Report is currently continuing to be reviewed by legal and safeguarding experts."   That answer could have been given months ago and in months to come.

The Sir Michael Birt's call for the report has been supported by some Jersey Synod members however there has been no call for any support for those affected by the Dean and Bishop's actions where promises have not been kept and continued speculation of the date of the Report's publication is causing distress.  Those who have followed the sorry saga will be aware of a catalogue of errors that have occurred from the time when HG first made contact with the Dean in July 2008 to this very day. For the reasons given above to publish the discredited Steel Report would be another.

It is said that publication of the Report will bring closure for Dean and Church, that is wishful thinking. Enough hurt has been caused and needless money has been spent on ego trips which have achieved nothing. Now is the time for closure and to let sleeping dogs lie.

These 2 related links will be of interest to readers. I am grateful to BBC Radio Jersey for this link which can be opened by clicking HERE

Following the Dean's reinstatement I published a blog which can be opened by clicking HERE 


29 comments:

  1. It's all about the Dean and how he is seen by the Establishment as the victim. A young lady reports abuse to the Dean - gets locked up for 2 weeks in prison - deported from the Island and left destitute on the streets of the UK after reporting it to the Dean. Why did Birt not have anything to say about the victim of abuse and how she was treated by the Jersey Establishment when he was highlighting his low points?

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    1. It is interesting that Sir Michael chose the Dean issue as his low point because as pointed out in my blog I think there are more important "lows." However there may be others who share his choice.

      Failing to recognise the plight of HG seems to be par for the course and for Sir Michael to ignore her is disappointing.

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  2. BBC Jersey radio has been attacking HG for the last few days with Ashenden, Birt, Philip Bailhache. Given the BBC's protection of Jimmy Savile there's no surprises there.

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  3. I'm glad you have blogged about this cover up Bob because the media (BBC) is giving Birt and Bailhache carte blanche in attacking HG. Has the BBC asked you for an interview or is it just those who are attacking HG that are allowed to say their piece?

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. This comment covers the 2 above.

      I don't think the BBC was attacking HG but was allowing those who are calling for the publication of the report to express their views. Although I don't share their views I don't have a problem with them expressing them via any of the main media..

      Although I was not asked to comment on the latest request for the report I have appeared on Radio Jersey several time to comment on issue, whereas I have not been asked for comment by any of the other main media.

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  4. This is the reason Jersey should abolish the role of the Bailiff.

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  5. Shame you can't let this boring story lie.

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    1. If its boring why are you reading the blog and submitting comments?

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  6. Bob.

    Your readers might be interested in what the Korris Report had to say about the DISGRACED DEAN.

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    1. Since when was the Dean disgraced?

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    2. Bob.

      And how the equally disgraced ITV/CTV were able to EXONERATED HIM.

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  7. The only people that care are the ones it effect. The sad thing is while they indoctrinate and incarcerate people for what they have done many times ignoring the laws that they place on the majority. It would change of everyone stopped paying their taxes. Then they lose their jobs maybe then it would become fair.

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  8. Why is everything disgraced?

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  9. Adjective: disgraced
    "having fallen from favor or a position of power or honor; discredited."

    NOBODY mentioned has fallen.

    Why to you allow porky pies on your blog or is it because you still speak and listen like a politician?

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  10. There will be some people who think the Dean's actions have been disgraceful. Perhaps you will tell us what the porky pies are?

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  11. There will be some people who think the Dean's actions have been disgraceful. Perhaps you will tell us what the porky pies are?

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    1. The same person who thinks CTV is disgraced as well?
      Maybe we really do need a cyber bullying law and education is not enough.

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    2. You have lost me here, who thinks CTV cameras are disgraceful?

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  12. The Dean, Bailhache, and Birt are all a disgrace for marketing the Dean as a victim and treating the real victim (HG) as though she is the abuser. Nothing in Jersey has changed.

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    1. Bob,
      I think the reason for the sudden interest in getting the Steel Report published is down to the Dean’s Sabbatical to the States next month. His supporters are hoping that he will be safely out of the way when it’s released.

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    2. What's this about a Sabbatical? I bet he is back in time for Liberation Day so he can sniff round royalty!

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  13. I heard you on the radio this morning Bob defending HG and wanted to thank you for continuing to speak up for victims of Jersey abuse.

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  14. Bob.

    Complaint to PPC against former Home Affairs Minister ANDREW LEWIS.

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  15. Just what sort of a Christian is the Dean and when will Radio Jersey stop being his mouth piece as it yet again gave uninterrupted time to the Dean and his supporters in calling for the Steel Report.

    Radio Jersey’s interview with the Dean this morning was another low. Kathy Le Feuvre allowed him to thank those who have been calling for the Report but at no time did she raise the issue of the harm the Report will cause HG or that she was denied the opportunity of being interviewed by Steel.

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  16. The Dean said the Steel Report exonerated him, why did the Radio Jersey not tell him that the Report said no disciplinary action was being taken against him, or does Radio Jersey believe that the Dean has been exonerated?

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  17. Bob.

    Complaint against disgraced former Home Affairs Minister PART TWO.

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