Bailiff’s Christmas Message – A Final Swipe at Harper and Power

Well, the Bailiff has done it again! In his typical ‘Jersey way’ of spin, William Bailhache publicly denounces the media and the child abuse scandal investigation.

This is the last time that I shall have the privilege, as Bailiff, of writing a Christmas message for readers of the JEP.

Retirement looms, although I hope that it will not involve a complete withdrawal from public life. Looking back over the last 12 months, it has been in some respects an annus horribilis for Jersey or, in plain English, a bad year.

The national and international media fastened upon some injudicious statements from the police in relation to their investigation into historic child abuse, and the Island was subjected to a torrent of wild and extravagant reports which most of us knew in our hearts to be untrue. A more sober assessment of the truth is now beginning to emerge.

All abuse of children is a shocking breach of trust, and we can but hope that any past wrongdoing will be exposed and appropriately punished. The extreme criticisms of Jersey have, however, been shown to be without foundation.

Sorry Billy, that drivel doesn’t pass muster!

…and the Island was subjected to a torrent of wild and extravagant reports which most of us knew in our hearts to be untrue.

Most of us knew in our hearts to be untrue? Is that you, your brother, Frank Walker, and the other clowns in the good, old boys club? A lot of people out here have a much different opinion.

A more sober assessment of the truth is now beginning to emerge.

Not by a long shot. Warcup, Gradwell and Lewis proved nothing with their shameful presser. Makes one wonder how may spin doctors are employed by the States of Jersey and how many conspiracy theories they can dream up.

…we can but hope that any past wrongdoing will be exposed and appropriately punished.

Not as long as the current legal system in Jersey is allowed to obstruct and interfere. Dismissing charges and sitting on investigative files for months won’t expose what has been carefully hidden for years.

The extreme criticisms of Jersey have, however, been shown to be without foundation.

Really? Guess it depends which side of the aisle you sit on – that of the privileged or with the brave, responsible folks who are attempting to get justice for the 100 victims who have come forward. That little fact is pretty hard to ignore.

Hey Billy, don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

If you have the stomach for it, to read more of his prattling go to The Rag – JEP.