The Jersey Establishment And JEP - A Symbiotic Relationship

So, we now have three child abuse convictions yet, we still have many tough questions that need to be answered and we have learned firsthand how the government and The Rag respond to crisis in Jersey.

If, as some highly placed members of the establishment would have the good folks of Jersey and the international community believe, nothing untoward occurred at Haut de la Garenne, child abuse on the island was not an issue, nor was it hidden or covered up, how do we now have 3 guilty verdicts?

Does this not also mean that the brave victims who came forward weren't lying or having faulty memories as was so often intimated?

If nothing happened at Haut de la Garenne, again as so often intimated, why did Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell say 'Gordon Wateridge, a house parent at Haut de la Garenne, was a sexual bully towards vulnerable young girls in his care. We hope the complainants involved in this trial have received some comfort from the decision reached by the court' ?

During the infamous November 2008 presser by David Warcup and Mick Gradwell, Warcup expressed much regret at inaccurate information provided by his predecessors.

Yes, that would be Lenny Harper and Graham Power - why then have Warcup and Gradwell never explained the 60-odd milk teeth, many with roots still attached, that were unearthed at Haut de la Garenne?

Instead of dismissing them as 'possibly' being hundreds of years old, why have Warcup and Gradwell not had the dozens of burnt bones carbon dated to determine their age?

Now, it is highly important to remember that on the very same day as the Warcup presser, Frank Walker held his own presser that pretty much echoed Warcup's.

These pressers, were seen as being staged and choreographed to divert attention from the impending release of the critical The Howard League Report on child abuse in Jersey.

So, true to the 'Jersey way' the establishment and The Rag spin-doctors went into a frenzy of activity to trash Lenny Harper, Graham Power and others. It was a transparently lame attempt to deflect the damaging information contained in The Howard League Report.

OK, fast forward to this past Thursday.

You just know a bunch of folks had to be on pins and needles waiting for the verdict in the Gordon Wateridge case. I imagine more than a few conversations were held in backrooms that went somewhat like this - I'm sure it's nothing, but what if, god forbid, these jokers come back with a guilty verdict? What shall we do?

So, the government mouthpiece and puppet agent - The Rag - trumpets not the GUILTY headline, but Lawyer: Harper made up remains' story.

The Rag's Diane Simon was more than obliging to trash Lenny again in an attempt to divert attention from the guilty verdict and the bad light that places the establishment in.

Yesterday after Claude Donnelly was sentenced to 15 years for 15 counts of indecent assault, rape and procuring an act of gross indecency, what was The Rag spouting as a headline?

A case of 'lies and half-truths'

STRONG criticism of former police chief Lenny Harper's handling of the Haut de la Garenne inquiry has been voiced by a lawyer and a senior judge, who called his media activites 'extraordinary'.

Oh, Diane, Diane! Is it really so difficult to follow the day's real story? Is it so hard to do some true investigative work, ask the really tough questions and stop being an establishment shill?

Oh, and did The Rag publish Lenny Harper's highly detailed response to Ms Simon? Nope, nada!

So, does the establishment feed off The JEP or does The JEP feed of the establishment? I don't know maybe it's just me, but I find this all highly insulting and it so predictable it's become a sad joke.

Jersey - The Ultimate And Final Betrayal

It really comes as no great or unexpected surprise, yet it does not lessen the profound sadness and despair I, many in Jersey, and people, internationally feel.

The historic abuse inquiry is to be formally announced as “over” – by Gradwell, Warcup and their puppet-master, Bill Bailhache - they’ve decided that it can all be wrapped-up now.

As I sit here weeping for the victims, their unwavering advocates and supporters, the professional and dogged investigators who uncovered volumes of evidence exposing the abuse perpetrators, I am left with a feeling of hollowness and anguish for the good and decent folks of Jersey who continue to suffer at the hands of the upper-crust government buffoons.

“…know this – the memory of this horrifying, decades-old history of foul and monstrous abuse – and the memory of those who contributed to the concealing of that abuse – is not going away; will never be hidden – will never be forgotten about.

So this is not the end.

On the contrary – we live in the 21st century – when those who were weak have now become strong.

The abusers, those who have failed to prevent that abuse, those who have concealed that abuse, those who have contributed to the barbarism and criminality of the suppression of the truth – are going to be beaten.

Victims, Senator Stuart Syvret, Lenny Harper, Graham Power, Simon Bellwood, John Hemming and all of those I have come to know and deeply respect and admire in the past two years, know you have continued support and we will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight for justice!

Senator Stuart Syvret Blog

Jersey 7/4/09 Protest March For Justice Photos

Haut de la Garenne - Michael Aubin Pleads Guilty!!!

Michael Aubin admitted to two counts of gross indecency and two counts of indecent assault on children under ten years old.

Aubin, who appeared before the Royal Court, carried out the sexual abuse on boys while he was a resident at the home in the 1970s.

Aubin is the first person to be brought to court after a police investigation into historic child abuse on the island.

He previously pleaded not guilty to three additional counts of indecent assault. Those counts will be dealt with after Aubin is sentenced on June 22.

Two other people have been charged in connection with the Haut de la Garenne abuse scandal and police have amassed a list of 40 additional suspects.

Finally some justice in Jersey! Personally I am stunned, but extremely pleased with this victory!

This is a great day for the abuse victims, Senator Syvret, Lenny Harper, Graham Power and Simon Bellwood. Well done, you all have been vindicated!

Telegraph
Daily Echo
The Sun
ITN

Lenny Harper on Jersey Corruption And Why Abuse Victims Cannot Get Justice

~Lenny Harper




In his most candid interview to date, retired police chief superintendent, Lenny Harper – a 35-year veteran police officer - discusses Haut de la Garenne and the corruption he encountered well before the child abuse investigation.

Harper was recruited in 2002, to Jersey by then head of States of Jersey Police, Graham Power.

'Within weeks I realized that local politicians expected a degree of control over day-to-day operations that no UK police force would tolerate.'

Jersey operates with a system of Honorary Police. These are elected citizens - farmers, truck drivers, businessmen, etc - from the island’s 12 parishes that have the ability to countermand the Jersey Police. Incredibly, the head honorary constable is automatically seated in the States Assembly.

The ‘paid’ police force have to consult with these lay people and advise them of any and all evidence in a case – get this one – because only the Honorary Police can charge suspects!

Government and police make for strange bedfellows!

'Several times early in my posting I had to protest to the Attorney General's legal advisers about a refusal to charge in cases where the evidence was overwhelming.'

Harper's authority was challenged when he tried to tackle the massive arsenals of firearms on the island. Approximately 10,000 licensed weapons and numerous, unlicensed weapons – including semi automatic rifles – were held by a population of 90,000 people!

Were they going to war with somebody?

Harper's attempts to take action were repeatedly blocked by politicians.

'Strenuous attempts were made to intimidate us into not taking action with allegations that we were Brits who did not understand the Jersey way of life.'

Harper quickly discovered that many of the firearms licenses were issued to applicants with known criminal convictions.

Having received a tip, Harper raided the home of civilian police officer to discover a huge number of firearms lying unsecured in a bedroom. The cache included an RPG7 rocket launcher as well as weapons that had been handed into the police previously for destruction. There were 7.62mm rifles, machine guns, Magnum revolvers, and a large quantity of ammunition. Also confiscated was a Sea Cat missile launcher - usually carried on warships!

The employee was eventually convicted on several charges, however he was not sacked and the police force took him back.

Harper began a licensing campaign after discovering hundreds of people never renewed their firearms licenses and began arresting people including police officers, politicians, lawyers, and others. Most were given a slap on the wrist and a small fine.

In one case an application for a firearms license had been issued to a person despite the fact the person was convicted in 1992 of possessing a prohibited weapon and supplying controlled drugs. When police raided his house, they recovered 18 weapons and 183,000 rounds of ammunition. That is enough ammunition to shoot Jersey's entire population. Twice!

Harper also discovered three employees were using police money to buy computers for private use. Pornography was stored on some of them. The Attorney General refused to take legal action and politicians defended the employees.

Additionally, Harper found three detectives were discovered selling intelligence to women linked to drug dealers in return for sex. Despite film and audio evidence, no prosecution was authorized.

'The vast majority of cops on Jersey are honest and we owed it to them to bring to book the guys bringing them into disrepute.' Harper says. 'But the response of the authorities was to suppress everything.'

Harper spent his last year in Jersey on the excavation of Haut de la Garenne. Over one hundred witnesses have come forward with horrific tales of abuse and children just disappearing.

When Harper retired last August, a new team of detectives took over the investigation and quickly denounced Harper as an over-excitable and inexperienced officer and questioned Harper’s concerns, skills, and findings. They also claimed the 65 children's teeth found the home's cellars were left for the tooth fairy! Police now say there were no murders.

Three men - two of them former care workers - charged with abuse have yet been tried, over a year later! Jersey authorities have portrayed the alleged victims as compensation-hungry criminals.

'I'm used to flak,' Harper says. 'I don't care what a few establishment cover-up merchants and their pet poodles say about me. But I do care about the victims on Jersey. I'll keep speaking up for their sake.'

'We worked very hard to win the victims' confidence. I think now they will feel that there is nothing that they can do.’

The Haut de la Garenne investigation has ground to a halt. In it’s wake, a smear campaign began alleging that Harper himself was corrupt.

'Jersey is claiming that I left with loads of documents, unused material that could be needed in court. I think they're saying that so that cases can be thrown out. I have offered to go to any court in the UK and answer questions about alleged unused material.'

Head of States of Jersey Police, Graham Power, has subsequently been illegally suspended and accused of botching and illegal spending on the Haut de la Garenne investigation.

Two weeks ago, Senator Stuart Syvret, Jersey's former health minister who first raised the issue of abuse, was illegally detained and his home searched without a warrant under data protection laws. He was accused of leaking material to the media.

Syvret has been very vocal in exposing much of the government corruption for over a year, going so far as to appear at London’s High Court with British MP John Hemming to ensure that trials for the alleged child abusers be heard in Britain – a measure that Harper fully supported.

Harper ended his affidavit to the High Court by saying: 'With such an absence of controls, such an absence of accountability, the ordinary, decent citizens of Jersey are helpless. Intentionally or not, the system has allowed corruption to flourish to such an extent that those seeking to combat it are the ones open to scorn.'

'How come all these bent cops were able to complain about us, and their complaints were investigated at huge cost, but our investigations were closed down? I've often wondered what it was that we were really threatening.'

I think Denmark is ok, but something is certainly rotten in the States of Jersey!

Dailymail.com

Senator Stuart Syvret Arrested!

Updated!

He’s thought for months that something like this would happen and it finally has. The good Senator was arrested this morning for alleged breaches of data protection law – something the brothers Bailhache, Frank Walker and others do routinely!

MP John Hemming has written to British Justice Secretary Jack Straw - the same Jack Straw who has so far refused to intervene in the Jersey government and it’s handling of the Haut de la Garenne investigation – asking him to monitor the situation because he feels it may be motivated by political reasons.

Syvret has been a thorn in the side of the Jersey establishment and has been a very vocal critic of the government.

He was dismissed as Minister for Health and Social Services in 2007 after claiming child abuse cases were being covered up.

First, Lenny Harper, then Graham Power and now Stuart.

The Press Association

Update!

Stuart has been released after being held for seven hours in a cell!

As he stepped out of his home this morning, he was met by 4 unmarked police cars and at least 8 police officers who proceeded to toss his residence.

Justice for Jersey – High Court Mistrial?

On March 17, British MP John Hemming and Jersey Senator Stuart Syvret appeared in the High Court to present testimony and evidence of the ineffectiveness of the Jersey legal system.

The application was made to force Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, to intervene with issues stemming from child abuse at Haut de la Garenne, the illegal sacking of Graham Power, the harassment and besmirching of Lenny Harper and the basically inept ability of the good-old-boy network, run by Phil and Bill Bailhache, to provide justice in Jersey.

Interestingly, but not surprisingly, the two judge panel – Lord Richards and Justice Tugendhat – should never been allowed to preside over the hearing. Both judges should have recused themselves or been immediately disqualified.

Lord Richards has a history of accusations against him for sexual perversion. He was tried for exposing himself to a woman. This alone should have disqualified him because he can’t be seen as impartial based on that experience. He should never be allowed to hear cases related to sexual deviancy.

Justice Tugendhat, it seems, served as an appeal court judge in Jersey – knows the whole good-old-boy network AND was appointed to that office by none other - Phil Bailhache! So, Tugendhat can be impartial? I think not.

And, why do you suppose that Tugendhat didn’t reveal this little tidbit until the opening of the hearing? This hearing has been looming for some months!

Now the real circus begins.

The hearing was scheduled as the final business of the day for the court. Two hours were blocked for the presentation of evidence. One has to wonder why then, Senator Syvret was actually limited to one hour.

Lord Richards, repeatedly and excessively interrupted and questioned me, as I attempted to make the Applicant's case. This had the effect of disrupting the flow of my presentation; answering his constant interruptions caused me to have to repeat a number of points, which I had already covered - and introduced digressions down paths, which were of less significance for the Applicant. This further had the effect of causing much of the Applicant's case to be left unstated.

The judges rejected the Application on a single, narrow, ground; that we should attempt a Judicial Review of the Jersey judiciary - before that self-same judiciary.

Now, how the hell would that work? The whole purpose of the hearing was due to the fact the Jersey judiciary can’t be trusted.

No opinion was rendered on the facts and evidence presented and the judges didn’t comment on the duties of Jack Straw.

So, not a total defeat - just a new skirmish to plan.

John and I are already working-up a substantive Judicial Review case to bring before the court in Jersey - which will be fascinating in itself - as they'll have to produce a court competent to hear the matter.

And - we are going to bring a much broader range of complaints to the attention of Jack Straw - some deeply alarming material. And when he fails again to act on that - then we bring a fresh Judicial Review application against Straw - on all the broader issues.

As Stuart oft says, “you can’t make this stuff up!”

Senator Stuart Syvret Blog

Dishing Up The Goods On Jersey or, Time To Take The Trash Out

As we all know, some members of the States of Jersey and the police force are doing their damnedest to destroy the reputations of Lenny Harper and Graham Power, as well as making a mockery out of the investigation into child abuse. In order to do so, they set about ‘investigating’ the investigation utilizing several UK police forces.

The irrepressible Senator Syvret recently asked the Home Affairs Minister just how much this ‘investigating’ the investigation was costing the decent folks in Jersey. Well, to trash Lenny, Graham and the child abuse investigation, a whopping £310,000!

All of this thrashing and trashing has a much more serious consequence. Warcup and Gradwell during the infamous presser in November - tearing the investigation to shreds - have basically handed defense attorneys for those who could and should be brought to trial, an out. “The case is moot. Your top cops have said so.”

Do not forget, Warcup admitted to the press he had "ripped up evidence" from the investigation! In my opinion that smacks of being illegal, yet he still has a job!

And, what about Graham Power?

Remember, the same day of Warcup and Gradwell’s presser, Bill Ogley and Andrew Lewis set-about getting rid of Power. Power was summarily told he had an hour to decided whether to retire or be suspended immediately. Graham didn’t need an hour to think about it – his immediate answer was no and stated he would contest the actions against him.

In the assembly, Simon Crowcroft proposed the States review the suspension and disciplinary procedures used against Mr. Power. Specifically to determine whether they were correctly and lawfully undertaken. This came about after Graham issued a 12/1/08 statement to all States members. The document lays out how his suspension was illegal and an abuse of power.

The full document can be read on Senator Syvret’s blog. It’s a doozy and well worth the read!

So, the States took up this discussion yesterday and here are a few jaw-droppers!

During the Power, Ogley, Lewis meeting, Ogley took volumes of written notes. Those notes are deemed to have been heavily sanitized before being distributed as ‘minutes’ of the meeting. Power requested copies of all notes taken by Ogley as evidence of what occurred during that meeting.

Ogley destroyed them! Yup, illegally destroyed the minutes - illegally destroyed evidence! The current Home Affairs Minister even admitted he was ‘horrified’ when he learned Ogley destroyed evidence.

Well, the long-and-short of the Assembly debate to review Power’s suspension was apparently too much for the States – the proposition was thrown out!

Seems to me, Power was not the appropriate person to have been suspended – a couple of other names come to my mind!

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.

Harper and Power Being Set Up As Fall Guys in Jersey Abuse Scandal?

Lenny Harper will be giving evidence to the High Court in London next month about obstructions he faced in trying to bring cases to court during his tenure as lead investigator at Haut de la Garenne.

MP John Hemming and Jersey Senator Stuart Syvret challenged the High Court over the handling of the Jersey child abuse investigation with claims they don’t have confidence in the Jersey’s authorities ability to properly administer justice. Harper will provide evidence of the obstruction and interference he faced during the investigation an is expected to tell the High Court that victims may not get justice unless an outside body steps in. He said he is concerned that there have been no more arrests or further progress in the investigation.

Harper has filed a complaint with the Jersey Police Complaints Authority about the smear comments made by Deputy Chief Officer David Warcup and Detective Superintendent Michael Gradwell at a recent press conference.

Mr. Harper told the Belfast Telegraph he recently received a “bizarre” letter from Mr. Warcup requesting the return of any unused documents relating to the case.
“I have no unused material whatsoever. I have nothing which is relevant to the inquiry. This letter was very puzzling and a little disturbing. I can only think of two possible reasons — one that it is an attempt to intimidate me just before I give evidence in the High Court or two, that it is an attempt to set the scene to blame me for any discontinuation of proceedings. In light of all that has been happening I believe I am being set up to take the blame if no charges are brought.”

Suspended Police Chief Graham Power claims that he is the victim of a ‘blatant abuse of political power and an independent review may be held soon.

Constable Simon Crowcroft has submitted a proposition to Jersey’s Bailiff calling for a ‘compliance check’ into the way Minister Andrew Lewis handled the suspension of Graham Power. Power has claimed that his November 14 suspension was not carried out properly.

JEP

Senator Stuart Syvret Blog

“You'll never take me alive, copper!” and Jersey Abuse Scandal Takes More Twists and Turns

As reported previously, efforts to smear Lenny Harper, Graham Power and the entire Haut de la Garenne investigation have been moving forward.

The new UK coppers that have been brought in since Harper retired are relentlessly pursuing Chief Constable of the Jersey Police Force.

A discipline inquiry into the conduct of Graham Power has been launched. The home affairs minister, Andrew Lewis, suspended Graham in November.

Graham Power is fighting back, claiming his suspension did not follow correct procedure, a claim that has been rejected by the home affairs minister.

Power has threatened to sue the minister over a ‘blatant abuse of political power’ by breaking the formal procedures set up to govern suspension of the chief of police.

Power says he plans to take the minister to court over several decisions made by the minister and that he had the full backing of the UK association of Chief Constables.

Now, the latest attempt by the government to minimize the scandal and intimidate those who brought the scandal to light indicates that Senator Stuart Syvret is now in the crosshairs.

I’m not even going to attempt to paraphrase - directly from Senator Stuart Syvret’s blog:

The Jersey Establishment Party have at least three, key aims:

1: Intimidate and silence me.

2: Intimidate and frighten my constituents who whistle-blow to me.

3: Force me into revealing my sources.

1 and 3 of those objectives are simply unattainable. I don’t “do” intimidated.

And – without exaggeration – I would sooner be jailed than betray my sources.

So – I face the very real prospect of raids on my home, arrest, questioning under caution, prosecution - and jail.


THREATENING E-MAIL MESSAGE, FORWARDED TO ME IN THE NAME OF DCI TIM NUNN OF SUSSEX CONSTABULARY:

-----Original Message-----
From: Newman, Mark [mailto:M.Newman@jersey.pnn.police.uk]
Sent: 03 December 2008 16:55
To: Stuart Syvret
Cc: Timothy.Nunn@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Subject: Independent Investigation

Hi Stuart,

I am leaving the enquiry and returning to my UK Force tomorrow. I have been asked to pass onto you the following message from DCI NUNN of
Sussex Police.

I am no longer going to be part of The Operation Rectangle Enquiry but should you wish to contact me my email back in force is [E-MAIL AND MOBILE DETAILS EXCISED]

Many Thanks
Mark

FROM DCI TIM NUNN:

Mr Syvret, Having spoken with Mark, I have asked him to pass on this rather unusual introduction in the hope that we can establish a dialogue. A few weeks ago, I was asked by the Deputy Chief Officer (DCO) David Warcup to conduct an investigation on behalf of the States Of Jersey Police (SOJP). This is standard practice when there is a need to illustrate 'independence' in an investigation where the police themselves might be considered to have a 'conflict of interests'.

The remit of my investigation was to establish how the report from the then DCO Lenny Harper dated the 29th June was disclosed and is now in the public domain. You are more than aware of that report as it appears on your Blog. Clearly, in publishing it, potentially you commit offences under the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005 and these are the subject of a separate investigation by the Data Protection Commissioners Office. I want to speak with you as a witness.

In simple terms, I want to ask you about the circumstances in which you came into possession of that report. My favoured way of doing this [EMPHASIS ADDED] would be to meet you in person. Please can you let me know, either by E mail or using the mobile number below, whether you are prepared to meet me to discuss this further. Thanks in anticipation, Tim.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Nunn Staff Officer to Deputy Chief Constable Giles York

[telephone number excised]


RESPONSE BY SENATOR STUART SYVRET:

-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart Syvret [mailto:S.Syvret@gov.je]
Sent: Wednesday 03 December 2008 23:13
To: NunnTimothy CN800
Cc: Newman, Mark
Subject: RE: Independent Investigation

You'll never take me alive, copper!

Senator Stuart Syvret
States of Jersey.

A few observations:
Instead of the government putting the focus on the victims of the abuse scandal and the on-going cover-up – where it should be - they continue to pretend nothing happened at Haut de la Garenne and create boogy-man stories for public consumption.

Am I the only one who thinks it strange that Tim Nunn communicated with Stuart through Mark Newman? And, just how disrespectful – intentional? – not to refer to Stuart by his proper title of Senator?

Lastly, I am a little bit annoyed by the Senator – it took me 15 minutes to clean up the coffee I spewed after reading his response to Nunn!

BBC

This is Jersey

Jersey – Starting to Shake Off the Apathy?

Is it really happening that some in Jersey are finally seeing there is a dark underbelly to the government?

I sincerely hope this is not a political grab for the 15-minutes of fame, but the Constable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft, says the Island is facing an unprecedented crisis of confidence in leadership.

Mr. Crowcraft has considered running for Chief Minister.

Crowcraft is trying to avert the ‘crisis’, following the suspension of the States police chief over the abuse investigation and the release of the report by the Howard League about the youth justice system.

Crowcraft indicated he is particularly concerned about the way the investigation at Haut de la Garenne was handled and the former practices at Greenfields youth remand home.

Yesterday afternoon he was to meet with Home Affairs Minister Andrew Lewis seeking answers over the way in which Graham Power was suspended. Over the weekend Crowcroft expressed his concerns to States Members regarding the government’s treatment of senior staff and called for urgent meetings to look into the matter.

Can it be there is change in the wind?

I know nothing of Simon Crowcraft and am interested in what our readers think of his sincerity and record.

This Is Jersey

Ignore, Spin or Just Make Outlandish Statements the Jersey Way

I am flabbergasted by the series of absurd media stories coming out about Jersey, the past few days. In the wake of Walker and Warcup’s pressers, it seems the outlandish has been ratcheted up.

Harper and Graham were out of control - how did this happen?

3 separate reports from the independent Association of Chief Officers, ACOP, were issued regarding the Haut de la Garenne investigation. They were pleased with the way the investigation was being handled. Suggestions they offered were quickly put in place and the ACOP commented they had never seen recommendations acted on so quickly.

In their trashing and bashing of the investigation and evidence, Warcup and Walker conveniently made no mention of the ACOP reports.

So, the evidence painstakingly gathered by a team of professionals and reviewed by the APOC is just trash and “in tatters”?

It’s apparent to me who the rogue agents are here!

Eddie the sniffer dog - it’s his fault and Lenny will be the reason for no convictions!

The Daily Mail: In any event, what is now clear is that the fiasco goes back to the beginning, with Mr Harper's sudden and dramatic announcement on February 23 about finding the remains of a child, along with the claim that Eddie the sniffer dog - the very same beast that had already caused the parents of Madeleine McCann months of unjustified misery by finding the 'scent of death' in their Portugal apartment - had identified six further sites where children might lie buried.

Two trials of alleged abusers are pending.

'The fear is that Lenny's behaviour will make it impossible to get convictions,' one senior Jersey legal source said. 'Instead of obtaining justice for the victims, he may have weakened their prospects of getting it.'

Darn that cute little Eddie – he just can’t be trusted! Or, maybe Eddie is a secret agent!

One has to ask, has Jersey now set the stage to dump any and all prosecutions? Lame excuse - blaming that on Harper. The judiciary has not moved several files in many, many months. There are at least 18 individuals under investigation.

Senator Wendy Kinnard has resigned so lets trash her also!

This Is Jersey: Yesterday’s revelations have raised fresh questions about the timing of her departure. On 21 October she made a statement to the States that she was stepping down ‘on a point of moral conscience and principle’. She said at the time that her decision to go was based on a refusal by the Council of Ministers to discuss a change in the way that judges instructed juries over uncorroborated evidence.

At the time her resignation raised eyebrows among her political colleagues, who found it difficult to believe that she would stand down so quickly and over such a matter. They and others are now asking whether she was looking for an excuse to leave office to avoid taking responsibility for the way the historical child abuse inquiry had been handled.

Home Affairs Minister Andrew Lewis suggested that the actions of Senator Kinnard would be a feature of the inquiry into how things got so out of control. ‘The public deserves to find out why, and that is why we are conducting an investigation,’ he said. ‘We are reviewing the actions of the chief of police. The actions of everyone will be subject to inquiry.’

Hmmm Wendy, Lenny, Graham and Eddie all seem to be in cahoots!

Forget what the Howard League Report says - we need tougher punishment for children!

"Howard League Report 'Naive'

The man who wants to be Jersey’s next Home Affairs Minister has criticised a report into the island’s youth justice system.

Senator-elect Ian Le Marquand says calls to stop locking up children are naive.

The former magistrate has been giving Channel 103 his response to the Howard League for Penal Reform’s findings.

He thinks punishments need to be tougher. He’s been complaining for years that existing provisions are not strong enough and the courts have no effective enforceable punishment for children under 15.

"We’re getting groups of youngsters who consider themselves absolutely untouchable under law who just carried on offending and offending and the courts could do absolutely nothing about it."

" I want to go in the opposite direction - but in a controlled and measured way."

Yikes, what the hell is, “a controlled and measured way?" Perhaps the scary Mr. Le Marquand skipped over this part of the report -

8.3 The proportion of children in Jersey remanded to custody (80%) is very high. In England and Wales, the remand proportion is typically 20% or just over. It is likely that the extraordinarily high remand proportion is related to the lack of legal framework for remands, alluded to at para 2.17.

8.4 In relation to Jersey’s small population, the juvenile custody rate of the island is unacceptably high.

Or, maybe Le Marquand should just lock-up all Jersey children – till they reach adulthood. Problem solved, no?

Am I done yet?

Not nearly!

Justice Served Up the Jersey Way

Guest Entry by Mark Le Sueur

(Mark lives on the island of Jersey and told me this about his entry - The first part is all in the media. Note: as of yesterday we are now deficient; the magistrate, the Home Affairs Minister; and now, our police chief. What a place.

The second part is my case. I have named names in the knowledge that there is hard copy to support what I say.)

Jersey’s justice system: 2008
• February 2008 - Haut de la Garenne becomes the focus of international media.

• 9 May 2008 - the Bailiff (Chief Justice) made his very political and much criticised, ‘Liberation Day Speech’, proclaiming that there would be no cover-ups.

• June – the Magistrate designate suspended – police raid and ongoing investigation.

• August 2008 - Haut de la Garenne investigating officer speaks out on national media.

• August 2008- An action lodged in the English High Court seeking an intervention by the Justice Secretary, in the wake of Haut de la Garenne debacle and child abuse inquires, questions raised as to the ability of Jersey’s justice system to cope.

• 21 October 2008 – Jersey's Home Affairs Minister resigned unexpectedly after a disagreement with the Council of Ministers - told States members it related to an issue of moral conscience and principle – judges direction to juries on uncorroborated evidence.

• 22 October 2008 – Bailiff (Chief Justice) announces his early retirement.

• 12 November 2008 - There were no murders November 12, 2008 – 3:01 pm
at Haut de la Garenne, police have concluded after a major review of evidence gathered during the excavation of the former children’s home.

• 12 November 2008 - States Police Chief Graham Power suspended following the latest finding in the Haut de la Garenne historical child abuse inquiry.

Meanwhile a cautionary tale from the courts; ‘Justice the Jersey way’:

• In 1997 a Mr Leybourne a legal agent for a Mr Millar, appropriate estate by altering a contract without reference to the other parties, an act in common law which precludes innocent misrepresentation.

• In 2004 Mr Millar’s solicitor, Mr Pickersgill, drew up an Order of Justice making claim on the estate appropriated in 1997, a classic act deception; the plea being as per a 1983 contract, the de facto boundary; the claim however was as per the 1997 contract a misrepresentation to a court by Mr Pickersgill the solicitor.

• Mr Millar then compounded matter by fabricating evidence to uphold the misrepresentation.

• In August 2005, Mr Wilkins, the trial judge for the case, directs the removal of Mr Pickersgill’s name and signature from the Order of Justice, an irregular act compounded by a misrepresentation to the court:

i. WILKINS TO MILLAR “Do try and stray not too far away from your pleading” nevertheless, Mr Millar never once addresses his pleaded case;
ii. WILKINS “These pleadings were drawn by litigants in person I am satisfied” a disingenuous reference to Mr Pickersgill, an experienced solicitor and property specialist.

• contrary to the court practice he had laid down, Mr Wilkins did not hear the background to the lawsuit. Had the Mr Wilkins convened such a hearing, the sham nature of Mr Millar’s claim would have been exposed; half the estate claimed being owned by third party, a Mrs Speer who became an involuntary defendant in absentia.

• Spring 2006 - Mr Wilkin, went on to engage in secret communications, with Misters Leybourne and Pickersgill, while the case was current.

Misrepresentation is cheating and cheating wins cases; with the judge on side, you are made.

Thank you so much Mark - it really is a pity!


A follow-up to yesterday's story -

From the Belfast Telegraph

Warcup and Harper's war of words: The accusations and the rebuttals

Deputy chief officer David Warcup’s claims at press conference... and Lenny Harper’s response to the Belfast Telegraph in his own words.

? Warcup: There is no evidence that any children had been murdered or bodies destroyed at the former home.

? Harper: They said they have “no credible evidence of murder” and “no suspects for murder.” They announced this as if it was a contradiction to what I had said. Not true. I have always said we did not have a homicide enquiry but were treating the scene as one of a potential homicide. Surprisingly they seem to miss the distinction. Furthermore I told the Chief Minister Frank Walker, on the day that he brought his wife for a tour of Haut de le Garenne, in her presence and that of my team, that he should prepare himself for the fact that we might not be able to launch a homicide enquiry because of a lack of evidence. He said this would not be a bad outcome and he was confident that we would do what we could.

? Warcup: After being examined by experts from the British Museum, a fragment thought to have been from a skull turned out to be a piece of Victorian coconut shell.

? Harper: They spoke about the original find “probably being a piece of coconut or wood.” The truth is that the item has never been positively identified and the source they quoted was only one of a number of varying opinions. Furthermore, it has never been explained just how collagen, which is only found in mammals, was found in it. Additionally, we had, of course, ruled out the item anyway because our experts were telling us it was too old.

? Warcup: “Shackles” found in rubble turned out to be “a rusty piece of metal”, and there was no evidence to suggest it had been used for anything suspicious.

? Harper: They described the shackles as “just rusty pieces of metal.” Of course they are rusty pieces of metal — they have been in the ground for over 30 years. Furthermore, they ignore the fact that it was not only us who described them as shackles, which one pair obviously are. Builders who found them in 2003 and left them where they were, tipped off the media that we would find shackles.

? Warcup: The “secret underground chambers” were just holes in the floor, “not dungeons or cellars”.

? Harper: They said that the cellars are “not cellars or dungeons, but are merely floor voids.” Surprisingly, I never used the word dungeons. They are not floor voids. What we call the cellars (and what the victims call the cellars) are in fact what used to be the ground floor. What is certain is that victims described them accurately and the abuse that went on in there.

? Warcup: Most of the 170 pieces of bone found in the search came from animals. Three were human and two of these dated from between 1470-1670 and 1650-1950 respectively.

? Harper: “The bones could be hundreds of years old.” Well this is certainly not new. When detailing the results of carbon dating, I made it clear that the dates ranged from 1650 to 1950. The expert in the UK who had examined the first bones we sent (which included a piece of child's tibia) said that they were very likely the bones of a juvenile human, they had been burnt shortly after death and buried shortly after burning. In his view they were no more than a few decades old. I made it clear that in the light of the conflicting information which, if it remained the same, it was “obvious that there would not be a murder enquiry.” This is clearly confirmed by, among others, the BBC News website which carries a link from yesterday’s story to one called “Jersey Murder Enquiry Unlikely” which was posted at 5.46pm UK time on July 31, 2008.

Senator Syvret has sent a great email to Warcup and Gradwell.

Lenny Harper and Graham Power Smack Down Frank Walker and Jersey Police

After the startling u-turn by police in Jersey, Lenny and Graham strongly deny any wrongdoing in the Haut de la Garenne investigation. Yesterday, Walker suspended Graham, Jersey Police Chief.

Video of Walker and Power’s statements

Stuart Syvert said: I’m extremely pleased to see that Graham Power had the integrity to turn down the Jersey oligarchy’s nice and easy “offer” of “early retirement” – and has instead taken the suspension from his post – and will fight all allegations against him.

Harper says Walker repeatedly tried to keep the investigation under wraps, hoping the scandal would just go away.

According to the Telegraph, Harper said: "This is the same Chief Minister who right at the outset tried to intimidate Graham Power and I into not talking to the media and trying to keep this under cover," Mr Harper told BBC Radio Four.

"Who then came to the Haut de la Garenne site with this wife a few months back and, when I explained to him then that we might probably never be able to mount a homicide investigation, put his hand to my shoulder and said 'well that will not be a bad outcome and I am sure you will do what you have to do'."

He added: "One just has to look at the suspension of Graham Power, he has fought a three-year battle to stop the day-to-day interference in the running of the police service and has been under extreme pressure as a result of that."

Harper also said that Warcup’s comments came at an opportune time as the report by the Howard League is to be released tomorrow. It is believed the report contains damning information about the States and Jersey policy.

If Walker and Warcup ignorantly thought their outrageous pressers would make the scandal go away, they were seriously mistaken. The international media is in a frenzy over this.

So much for trying to polish up Jersey’s tarnished reputation, Mr. Walker and Mr. Warcup - job well done!

Senator Stuart Syvret