I have a "S(c)andal"

Some weeks ago Home Affairs Minister Senator Ian Le Marquand told listeners to our local BBC Radio show “Talkback” that he had a scandal to tell us all concerning the Association Of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) who were advising and mentoring the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) of the Haute de la Garenne Child Abuse investigation Lenny Harper and his team. He (Senator Le Marquand) told listeners that he would reveal this “scandal” that could bring the good name of ACPO into disrepute at the next States Sitting.



Naturally there was a great deal of interest in what this “scandal” could be, the public gallery at the States Sitting was (unusually) well attended and plenty of others tuned into the live radio broadcast of the sitting. Only to find out that the Senator had contracted a twenty four hour bug and didn’t turn up to the sitting and his Assistant Minister (Deputy Jackie Hilton) didn’t know anything about the “scandal”, what’s the chances of that? In fact his Assistant Minister appeared to know next to nothing, about anything! So we would all have to wait with bated breath for a few weeks before the Home Affairs Minister could reveal what this “scandal” was that might discredit ACPO and possibly throw their "very positive" Reports and reputation into disrepute.

The time arrived! On the 20th April 2010 the Home Affairs Minster dropped the bombshell, the “scandal” and that was (in the words of the Home Affairs Minister).

“The issue to which I alluded was an issue as to whether there was a conflict of interest on the part of the senior officer involved. That conflict of interest would be in the area of the fact that that officer was about to apply in Jersey for a senior post in the Jersey police force.”

The Home affairs Minister also went on to say -
“The term “scandal” as I understand it from having looked it up in a dictionary is wide enough to cover improper conduct. If a senior officer puts himself into a position where there is a conflict of interest, or potential conflicts of interest, that is, in my view, improper.”

So why did he look up the word “scandal” in the dictionary? If this senior ranking ACPO Officer was found to be involved in any type of real scandal would there be any reason to look the word up in a dictionary? Furthermore couldn’t it be argued that the Home Affairs Minister could equally be describing the role played by acting Chief Police Officer, David Warcup, who was instrumental in the suspension of his Senior Officer and stands to inherit his job?

This is what Deputy Bob Hill asked the Home Affairs Minister.

I will just ask the Minister would he not really agree that the real scandal is the Chief Executive Officer’s role (Bill Ogley)? He was the person who appointed the Deputy Police Chief (David Warcup). He was then involved directly again with the suspension of the Police Chief (Graham Power) with the Deputy Chief Police Officer (David Warcup) and now has come forward with recommending that the Deputy Chief Officer (David Warcup) should have the suspended police officer’s job. Would he not really think that is the real scandal of what is going on at the moment? and the Home affairs Minister’s reply? A simple “No.”

Senator Le Marquand there are plenty of “scandals” to be had to go along with the “scoop” for the JEP rather than evidence to a Scrutiny Panel. How about the way Police Chief Officer Graham was suspended? How about the fact that you have refused to look into it? How about two Senior Police Officers, Mick Gradwell and David Warcup, coming over and attempting to trash an ongoing and successful Child Abuse investigation and ruin the reputations of two fellow Senior Ranking Police Officers at the same time? How about the letter to Chief Police Officer Graham Power quoting from a report that didn’t even exist ‘til two days later? If indeed it exists at all! How about Mick Gradwell showing to the world’s media possible evidence in an ongoing Child Abuse Investigation?

No Senator Le Marquand, you didn’t have a scandal. A senior ranking Police Officer “about” to apply for a job in the Jersey Police Force is nothing short of scraping the barrel, on your behalf. If it was that scandalous why didn’t you submit a complaint to ACPO or the IPCC?

There are many scandals besides the ones pointed out above, but something tells me they’re not the sort of scandals you want to look at or you might just refuse to look at, as with the original suspension of Graham Power.

Appearing to work “against” Deputy Bob Hill, voting “against” his proposition P9/2010 that asked for an open and public committee of enquiry into the suspension of Chief Police Officer Graham Power, why would you do that? Why would you vote against Deputy Hill and his proposition? Aren’t you and Deputy Hill supposed to be on the same side? The side of truth and justice?

The fact that victims and survivors of monstrous Child Abuse committed by the very people who were there to give them love and protection will never see their perpetrators face justice. The fact that these survivors will bare those scars for the rest of their lives, while their abusers carry on living a privileged and protected life, that's a scandal.

Perhaps the next time you feel the need to of talk of a “scandal” take a look around you, you are involved in one. A scandal in which every person involved is going to be judged by history, and in some cases God himself will be doing the judging. You are involved in one of the biggest scandals ever to hit this island, and probably ever will. The Government that you are a big player in has been failing its most vulnerable children for decades. Those who tried to expose the ruined lives of the survivors of these atrocities have had their lives, careers and reputations ruined in return.

One can only believe you have been mis-quoted and that you said you had a “sandal” not a “scandal”. A sandal would prevent your foot from getting covered in sh-t should you inadvertently step in some. However a pair of waders would be more appropriate because you have stepped in some and you’re up to your neck in it!……..Not to worry though Senator eh? God will be the judge.

Submitted by VFC. Graphics kindly supplied by Web Guru