Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne (Lenny Harper)

 

Former SIO/DCO Lenny Harper

Part six of our "Dark Secrets of a "Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne" series, is former Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and Deputy Chief Officer (DCO) Lenny Harper being interviewed by Jill and George of ONRECORD. This is a MUST WATCH interview showing Mr. Harper at his most relaxed, and watching the reactions of Jill and George as he discusses THE JERSEY SITUATION is just priceless.

One of the most difficult parts of telling people about what goes on in Jersey, how it's run, who runs it, etc is getting them to believe what you're saying. For a section of Jersey people the absolute lunacy is pretty much the norm, it's what makes Jersey "special," or they are not aware (because the media doesn't tell them) just exactly what IS/HAS gone/going on. It's not until you explain it to those who are from off-island and not familiar with THE JERSEY WAY that you see (as in the interview below) just how bonkers/corrupt and almost unbelievable it is.

Mr. Harper talks extensively about the vast amount of firearms/ammunition on the island, how he tried to bring the out of control gun ownership under some kind of control, and what/who he was up against. As mentioned in the interview below, and in Mr. Harper's own AFFIDAVIT, he is/was not just talking about the odd dodgy handgun. Listed in his Affidavit, among other weapons confiscated were an RPG7 Rocket Launcher which was later found to have only "a minor fault." A SEACAT Missile Launcher and much, much more. To include (from Mr. Harper's Affidavit):

"One man applied for a firearm and ammunition for the purpose of ‘pest control.’  The firearm in question is classified as for the purpose of hunting large game such as elk.

Another family in an outlying parish were known to have twenty high powered and semi automatic weapons in a cellar on their property.  They also had thousands of rounds of ammunition.  When visited by SOJ Police officers they were also found to have six months supply of tinned food and bottled water.  They said they were waiting for word from God.  The Connetable refused to revoke the certificate.

One man whom we had found had built up an arsenal of weapons was first granted a certificate in 1985.  In 1992 he was convicted of Possessing a Prohibited weapon, supplying controlled drugs and other crimes.  In 1993 he tried to purchase a shotgun whilst prohibited by the law.  In 1995 intelligence was received that he was supplying controlled drugs.  In 1996 he applied for and was granted a new firearms certificate by the Connetable.  In 2006 he held the following weapons:

1 x .30 semi automatic carbine* 

2 x  7.62 semi automatic rifles*

1 x 7.62 bolt action rifle

1 x  .303 bolt action rifle

1 x  5.56 semi automatic rifle* – as used the British Army

5 x .357 Magnum handguns

2 x  9x21 self loading pistol

1 x 9x19 semi automatic carbine* - similar to that used by the Police

1 x Pump action shotgun

2 x Semi automatic shotguns*

1 x .50 revolver **; and

1 x .50 rifle **

183,000 rounds of ammunition for the above weapons"

VFC tried to make the public aware of of Mr. Harper's Affidavit, through BBC State Radio, but the BBC didn't want to add any balance to its propaganda, and kept the facts hidden from its listener(s) as we reported on HERE. Regular readers will know that the BBC has form in keeping the public ignorant and only telling ONE SIDE of a story and leaving it for Bloggers to tell the OTHER SIDE.

Of course the interview below doesn't just talk of the gun culture and how Parish Constables rule the roost when it comes to issuing gun licences and the like. Further discussed is the honorary system, corrupt cops, good cops, the notorious Attorney General's office, the child's skull that was unearthed at Haut de la Garenne. How he was proud of the Jersey Police Force, all but a few bad apples, and how he was able to start rooting out police corruption only using local officers to investigate. But then he had to deal with the corrupt Attorney General's Office and corrupt politicians!

The difficulties, obstructions, he (and his team) faced, from The Powers That be, when Operation Rectangle became public where he dared to investigate Jersey's Dirty secret(s) involving decades of covered up Child Abuse. How he was able to gain the trust and confidence of Abuse Survivors where close to 200 of them came forward in the hope that their abusers would finally be brought to justice. Again the Attorney General's Office got in the way and after Mr. Harper had retired, Graham Power was (possibly illegally) suspended, a handful of SHOW TRIALS was all we/Survivors got. Out of 121 living suspects 8 of them were charged and only 7 convicted.

Former Bailiff William Bailhache

Also discussed, briefly in the interview, was the vindication by former Bailiff, and former Attorney General, William Bailhache, of Mr. Harper and his police investigation into the decades of concealed Child Abuse. The vindication was made by Mr. Bailhache as part of his retirement SPEECH in the States. The same speech where he attacked the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry and seemingly carried out a VENDETTA on behalf of his brother, Philip Bailhache, who too was Attorney General and Bailiff. Both Bailhache Brothers have QUESTIONS to answer where it comes to their actions/inactions surrounding the investigations (or not) into non-recent Child Abuse in the island. Philip Bailhache has been an outspoken critic of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry and attempted to get its crucial work Halted. If ever there were two people hiding in plain sight it is they.

Mr. Harper also gives the excellent work carried out by Cadaver dog Eddie and blood dog Keela a mention. He RIGHTLY gives them the full credit they deserve. Both dogs were deployed at Haut de la Garenne and the State Media, and The Powers That Be, did all they could to discredit these amazing animals when both dogs alerted to blood and cadaver up at the home. Their credentials can be witnessed HERE and Eddie alerting to cadaver at Haute de la Garenne HERE. After Keela alerted to blood on the bath at Haut de la Garenne, the entire bath disappeared, under the watch of disgraced former SIO Mick (the leak) Gradwell.

This is possibly the most in-depth, frank, revealing, and relaxed interview Mr. Harper has ever given and full credit must go to George and Jill for making him feel so at ease and giving him the time/space to tell his story. We recommend readers to subscribe to their YOUTUBE CHANNEL where there are many interesting interviews and more interviews to come relating to "The Jersey Situation" and the Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne documentary........................................

Part one of this series (VFC interview with former SIO Lenny Harper) can be viewed HERE.

Part two of this series (VFC interview with Graham Power QPM) can be viewed Here.

Part three of this series (Jill and George interview VFC) can be viewed HERE.

Part four of this series (Jill and George interview award winning author, and investigative journalist, Leah McGrath Goodman) and be viewed HERE.

Part five of of this series (Jill and George interview former (possibly illegally suspended) Chief Police Graham Power QPM) can be viewed HERE.

 

 

Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne (Graham Power QPM)

 

Former (possibly illegally suspended) Chief Police Officer 

Graham Power QPM

As part of our "Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne" series we bring you the latest instalment from Podcasters/YouTubers Jill and George of ONRECORD who we thoroughly recommend subscribing to on YouTube.

After watching the documentary, which can still be viewed on iplayer HERE, Jill and George took a real interest in "THE JERSEY SITUATION" and have interviewed a number of those who appeared in the documentary and other campaigners, who weren't in the documentary, but campaign against "THE JERSEY WAY."

Their latest interview (below) is with former (possibly illegally suspended) Chief Police Officer Graham Power QPM. Mr. Power will need no introduction to our long time readers who will know that Team Voice has reported extensively on this huge miscarriage of justice that saw Mr. Power suspended, on what looks to be, a pack of lies.

Disgraced Former Home Affairs Minister Andrew Lewis

He was suspended by disgraced former Home Affairs Minister Andrew Lewis who told our parliament he had seen a "damming report" from the MET Police criticising the handling of the Child Abuse investigation under the leadership of Mr. Power. Team Voice (Rico Sorda) exclusively exposed this "variation of truth" from Andrew Lewis when he (Rico Sorda) was leaked, and published, the secret parliament sitting's Hansard HERE.

Andrew Lewis went on to have his pants (metaphorically) pulled down by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry and we published the transcripts of the evidence given to the Inquiry by Mr. Lewis HERE, HERE and HERE. He later faced, and lost, a vote of CENSURE in the parliament. He was defended by the disgraced former Bailiff, and then Senator, Philip Bailhache which we reported on HERE.

The former Chief Police Officer, Mr. Power did lodge a criminal COMPLAINT against Mr. Lewis which (because, in my opinion, our judiciary is so CORRUPT) didn't see any charges brought against him. We're not even sure if there was any kind of investigation let alone charges. This is, however, something we hope to be returning to in the near future.

We hope for those not familiar with the story that the links provided will help explain some/most of what has gone on and covered up by the local Lamestream MEDIA but exposed by BLOGGERS. For those wanting to learn more please click on the labels at the bottom of this post.

The interview with Jill and George gives a fascinating insight into Mr. Power's credentials, the way Jersey "does things" and if you speak out, how "they" will come after you. 

A huge thanks to Jill and George for taking an interest in "The Jersey Situation" and we look forward to the up-coming interviews with key players from the documentary, and indeed not from the documentary.

Please take the time to subscribe to the OnRecord YouTube CHANNEL.

Part one of this series (VFC interview with former SIO Lenny Harper) can be viewed HERE.

Part two of this series (VFC interview with Graham Power QPM) can be viewed Here.

Part three of this series (Jill and George interview VFC) can be viewed HERE.

Part four of this series (Jill and George interview award winning author, and investigative journalist, Leah McGrath Goodman) and be viewed HERE.

Graham Power QPM. Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne.

Former Chief Police Officer Graham Power QPM

Further to our PREVIOUS POSTING where we interviewed former Senior Investigating Officer of the Jersey Child Abuse Investigation (Operation Rectangle) Lenny Harper. And in continuation of our series of interviews with those who participated in the BBC4 Rogan Productions documentary "Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne" which can be viewed on iplayer HERE.

We were granted an exclusive interview with the former Chief Police Officer Graham Power QPM to ask him about his thoughts on the documentary and related matters. Regular/long time readers will be aware that we at Team Voice have interviewed Mr. Power on a number of occasions following his (possibly illegal) suspension in 2008. We have covered the story of this huge miscarriage of "justice" for much more than a decade and we continue to do so....................

What is quite often overlooked is that, in the early days 2008/9/10/11 former Jersey politician, and 30-year MET Police veteran Bob Hill was the politician keeping Mr. Power's (possibly illegal) suspension on the political agenda. It should also be said that St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft played a huge part ALSO.

Many people played a big part in keeping Mr. Power's (possibly illegal) suspension on the political agenda and indeed continue to. The problem with attempting to name them all is that one might forget somebody and create a resentment which is why we won't try and list them all here.

Former Deputy Bob Hill

Former Deputy Hill DOES deserve special mention because his pursuit of the truth and justice for Mr. Power and Survivors of Abuse almost certainly cost him his career and contributed to his near fatal stroke. Back in 2015 Bob, and his family, were delivered a severe blow when he was struck down by a stroke which we reported HERE. We followed some of Bob's progress HERE and HERE. We were pleased that the documentary (Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne) used the footage, supplied to it by VFC, of Bob up at Haute de la Garenne showing Gradwell and Warcup to be "less than authentic" when they tried to tell us that the cellars at Haute de la Garenne didn't exist. The film footage of Bob was taken from HERE.

Mr. Power, in the interview below, gives Bob a mention and we thought it was high time we did. Readers can view Bob's Blog HERE.

Mr. Power, just as in the case of Mr. Harper in our PREVIOUS POSTING, first, and foremost, pays tribute to the Survivors of unimaginable abuse that was covered up by the Jersey Establishment for decades. He points out how the State Media got people talking about how much Mr. Harper spent on a prawn cocktail in a London Restaurant and other such mundane diversionary twaddle. It (State Media) took the focus away from the decades of suffering, and covered up Child Abuse, that Lenny Harper (and the Operation Rectangle Team), under the leadership of Graham Power, was trying to investigate. How did that happen and just as importantly "why" did it happen? How and why did the State Media turn a story of a police investigation into decades of covered up Child Abuse into a story of the lead investigator asking for a second helping in a restaurant?

Francis OldhamQC

Further discussed in the interview is the fact that neither Mr. Power, nor anybody else (who wasn't involved in it) knows why he was (possibly illegally) suspended. Fourteen years later and we are all none-the-wiser. We do know that Judge Oldham QC, Chair of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (IJCI), found that Andrew Lewis, who (possibly illegally) suspended Mr. Power, lied to both the States Assembly (the Island's parliament) AND the IJCI with his "reasons" for the (possibly illegal) suspension.

The irony is (discussed in the interview) that Mr. Power was ready to retire from the police force. He was well past his retirement date and had they have asked him to resign then he would have walked away. They chose the route to suspend him or "SCAPEGOAT" him which clearly was not the wisest of moves - or to quote Mr. Power from the interview: "it was a damn stupid decision." he further goes on to remind us: "This is not just a legal, political, academic point. While they were showing no political interest, people were suffering life changing harm. It's about real blood, real pain and real suffering that they allowed to happen"

Plenty more is discussed in the interview which we hope will open the eyes, or educate viewers, of what has been allowed to happen and what is allowed to continue to happen in this island that I was once proud to call my home. 

Lenny Harper. Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island: Garenne

Former Senior Investigating Police Officer Lenny Harper

Last night (Mon 15th March 2020) saw the broadcast of the long awaited (four years in the making) documentary "Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island:Garenne. It was broadcast on BBC4 and can be viewed on iplayer  HERE. For those having problems getting on iplayer it can be viewed on YouTube HERE.

The documentary told the story (as best as it could in ninety minutes) of the Child Abuse scandal/cover-up (and much more) that put Jersey on the world stage for all the wrong reasons back in 2008 onwards.

This documentary sought to sift through all the myths and complexities surrounding the abuse, the cover-ups, and tell the story from both sides of the fence. The film (in the opinion of Team Voice) was (rightly) Victim/Survivor focused and, with thanks to people like Survivor/Campaigner and Former Chair of the Jersey Care Leavers Association, Carrie Modral. Survivor Marina Cremin, many other Survivors including the late, and great, sorely missed Dannie Jarmin who appeared in the documentary. The bravery of ALL Survivors shone through in this film which is a tribute to its makers and the Survivors.

We, over the next few weeks, will be interviewing some of the film's participants and indeed we have been granted an interview with its director/producer Camilla Hall early in April.

Today we interviewed/talked with former Senior Investigating Officer of the Jersey Child Abuse police investigation (Operation Rectangle) Lenny Harper (video below). Both, he and I, being participants in the film discussed our opinions of it. We both agree that it is impossible to tell the "The Jersey story" in ninety minutes but this documentary did as good a job as could be done while attempting to be fair to all those involved.

Hopefully the interview/discussion will help viewers understand some of the "stories" given by some of the participants from the perspective of the Senior Investigating Police Officer and long time Anti Child Abuse/Anti Cover-Up campaigner.

Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island: Garenne

"Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island: Garenne tells the extraordinary story of the child abuse scandal that erupted on the idyllic island of Jersey in 2007. For a long time, the victims’ voices had remained unheard, but when widespread allegations of sexual abuse resurfaced in the late 2000s, Jersey’s then health minister Stuart Syvret spoke out about the scale of this historic child abuse and the damage done to the victims.

Syvret’s words sparked a moment of reckoning for the small community, whose leaders were determined to protect the island’s reputation, home to a trillion dollars in offshore investment. This discreet offshore tax haven found itself in the middle of a major police investigation as the world’s media descended on the island, creating a media circus. In the midst of all this, the community became divided, with one group fearful that the scandal would drive investors away, and another demanding justice for the victims.

As bitterness and enmity drag on and the press desert Jersey, two unlikely bloggers decide to reignite the smouldering, unresolved issues. Teaming up with former police officers, survivors and supporters, they fight for the voices of the survivors to be heard, digging up past evidence and recording first-hand testimonials. In the process, they force the island to confront its past."

Monday 15th March 2021 10pm

SOURCE

Lenny Harper and VFC Live on the Raw Report.

Former SIO Lenny Harper

Last Friday (20th Nov 2020) both Lenny Harper and VFC were interviewed (video below) in a live broadcast on THE RAW REPORT by investigative journalist, and Documentary filmmaker, Sonia Poulton.

 Long time readers of this Blog might recall that Sonia interviewed Mr. Harper back in November 2013 which we published HERE. She also interviewed other high profile victims of Jersey Justice/The Jersey Way, former Deputies Trevor and Shona Pitman which Trevor published on his Blog HERE.

Sonia Poulton

Sonia Poulton, for those not familiar with her work, is a fearless journalist (remember them?) who attempts to hold power to account through researched journalism and being a voice for the voiceless. She is a critic of what the Old Media (formerly known as MSM) has become which is essentially a mouthpiece for the rich and powerful. She looks behind the Old Media headlines and stories, or "The Party Line" and does her own investigating in an attempt to uncover what the Old Media might be hiding. She doesn't swallow the propaganda and lies fed to us by a complicit Old Media which is why she continues to take an interest in "The Jersey Situation" and talk to those who uncovered the truth. She has questioned the official narrative concerning the high profile disappearance/death of Madeleine McCann, the role of the Old Media in the case and exposed how it (Old Media) has blood on its hands. Her McCann documentaries can (and should be) viewed HERE and HERE.

Old Media

So it will come as no surprise to readers that she would take an interest in The Jersey Situation since she last spoke with former Senior Investigating Officer of the Jersey Child Abuse Investigation (Operation Rectangle) Lenny Harper and indeed VFC. The Old Media has consistently peddled propaganda and conspiracy theories involving stories of disappearing baths, disappearing COLLAGEN, Tooth Fairies, gaps in floorboards and disappearing CELLARS.  The Old Media has has denied the former Chief Police Officer, Graham Power QPM, the right of reply by keeping documents BURIED that could/would shed light on the truth behind the lies peddled by Jersey Government, Crown Officers, and the Old Media Itself. Indeed what has been described as "The Most Defining Report of its Era, the Old was exposed by a Scrutiny Sub Panel, Chaired by former Deputy Trevor Pitman HERE and HERE.

Disgraced former Home Affairs Minister Andrew Lewis

We also know now that the former Chief Police Officer was (possibly illegally) suspended on what looks to be a pack of lies, first exposed by Citizen Journalist, (and kept buried by the Old Media) Rico Sorda HERE. The Independent Jersey Care Inquiry labeled the disgraced former Home Affairs Minister, Andrew Lewis, a liar after he gave EVIDENCE to the Inquiry. It also found that the disgraced former Minister lied to the island's parliament (his "reasons" for possibly illegally suspending the Police Chief) and he was later CENSURED. A criminal COMPLAINT was also lodged against him by the former Chief Police Officer

Of course this all but scraping the surface of what went (and is going) on in the Jersey corruption/cover-up scandal but it has been exposed by Citizens Journalists and and buried by others.

We thank Sonia Poulton for inviting us on to her show and for taking a continued interest in "The Jersey Situation." We also thank Mr. Harper for continuing to support the Survivors of abuse and indeed the truth.

The full version of Friday night's Raw Report can be viewed HERE and we credit Sonia Poulton for our recording.

Senator Sam Mezec (VoNC) Interview.

Senator Sam Mezec

Further to our PREVIOUS POST  earlier today where we published the resignation letter (of now former) Children's and Housing Minister Senator Sam Mezec. Ahead of tomorrow's Vote of No Confidence (VoNC) against Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondre, we were granted an in-depth interview with Senator Sam Mezec (below).

We wanted to ask; "if the VoNC is successful, then what happens?" "How likely is it to happen?" "Are we heading for an Ian Gorst, by proxy, Government should Chief Minister Le Fondre lose the vote?" "Are the numbers there to dethrone him?"

We discussed the "government within a Government" as mentioned by Deputy Inna Gardiner on State Radio this morning but first brought to our attention back in 2010 by (possibly illegally) suspended Chief Police Officer GRAHAM POWER QPM. where Civil Servants, and Law Offices, are running the show, usurping the democratic process with complete impunity. Will the new Chief Minister (if there is one) tackle this huge problem of a government within a government?

Further explored is the idea that Chief Executive Officer Charlie Parker might be trying to cure the island of "The Jersey Way" and like all others before him (who have tackled the issue) is becoming a victim of it as a result? We need only think of Stuart Syvret, Lenny Harper, Graham Power, Shona and Trevor Pitman to name but a few.

Much more is discussed in this very informative interview such as the "choice" we have should John Le Fondre lose the vote. So far we have three options (sic) on the table for Chief Minister. They are:

Option 1 A right-wing Conservative, and staunch supporter of "The Jersey Way." (John Le Fondre)

Option 2 A  right-wing Conservative, and staunch supporter of "The Jersey Way." (Kristina Moore)

Option 3 A  right-wing Conservative, and staunch supporter of "The Jersey Way." Lyndon Farnham (if as rumoured he will be throwing his hat in the ring)

Could we have a fourth option of a left-wing socialist throwing their hat in the ring...........................................? Watch the video and find out.........................

JEP Editorials. Compare and Contrast (2)

Back in August 2009 while Jersey's biggest Child Abuse Investigation (Operation Rectangle) was still live, Bloggers were publishing the evidence and facts that the Old Media (formerly known as MSM) was trying to bury.

We (Bloggers) were being trashed by the Old Media, discredited at any given opportunity, in a desperate attempt by the Old Media to churn out the Party Line and bury the truth. Survivors/campaigners/whistleblowers and the cops, (particularly SIO/DCOLenny Harper) were all either silenced or ridiculed by the Old Media, pedophiles, pedophile protectors and supporters of the regime.

Back then (August 2009) Jersey's only newspaper, The Jersey Evening Post, published an Editorial attempting to ridicule Bloggers/Citizen's Journalists and hold onto the immense power it had back then (but was rapidly losing).

We published that editorial HERE where we asked readers to "Compare and Contrast" the opinions of the JEP Editorial and that of a (then) senior journalist working for another Old Media outlet. Readers should read that link in order to grasp how far things have come, how wrong the JEP was and how it is because of the JEP (and all island Old Media) that Bloggers became so trusted and were proven right and totally vindicated whether it be by SENIOR POLITICIANS, Former SENIOR POLICE OFFICER(S) or the Jersey Independent Care Inquiry ITSELF. Even former Attorney General/Bailiff WILLIAM BAILHACHE (through gritted teeth) HAD to vindicate former SIO/DCO Lenny Harper.

We, on this Blog, have (rightly) exposed the JEP for its (shall we say) "failings" over the years, and indeed we've exposed the rest of the Old Media as well. But I digress, regular readers will know that we try to be as fair and balanced as we can be on this Blog and like to give credit where it is due.

In 2014 Andy Sibcy took over the editorship of the newspaper and we have repeatedly given him, and the paper, credit where it has been due and we are pleased to say that has been more often than not. He gained a lot of our respect when he came to the Jersey Independent Care Inquiry to sit alongside BLOGGERS to discuss the role of New and Old Media. It should be noted he didn't have to attend and ITV/CTV as well as The BBC didn't have the courage to come and defend their (indefensible) reporting, and non reporting, of the Child Abuse cover up(s).

We found that Sibcy was humble, at the IJCI hearing, approachable and willing to take onboard constructive criticism/feedback as readers will see by clicking on the above link. The paper (since Sibcy took over) has (in our opinion) become almost unrecognisable since the bad old days. That's not to say that it now practices any kind of investigative journalism, or such like, but you are now seeing articles/opinions published that would never have seen the light of day pre-Sibcy.

In this Blog Posting we want readers to compare and contrast the JEP's opinion from today's EDITORIAL and that of 2009.

Before we do that we need to give readers some context behind today's editorial.

Deputy Mike Higgins

Yesterday, (8th September 2020) in the States (parliament) sitting, Deputy Mike Higgins asked two questions of the children's Minister, Senator Sam Mezec concerning possible criminality within the Children's Services, certainly underhanded, and dangerous tactics allegedly employed by them and it appears the Minister is more inclined to protect the system than he is to hold it to account and protect its users/clients.

Video of the questions and "answers" (sic) can be viewed HERE and HERE. It should be noted that not one other politician had a single question to ask on the back of Deputy Higgins' question. That should put fear into anybody who thinks politicians (other than Higgins) are looking after Children's best interests, or protecting them in any way.

Former Health Minister, and whistleblower, Stuart Syvret

Deputy Higgins, just like Stuart Syvret (and others) before him is going up against the establishment trying to be a voice for the voiceless, trying to root out any wrongdoing and rot, before we have another Child Abuse atrocity on our hands because of Ministers protecting their Department/staff instead of protecting those who are allegedly being abused/failed by it/them.

Regular readers will know that whistleblowers, in the States (like Stuart Syvret) were always portrayed as troublemakers or conspiracy theorists and we thought after the Survivors/whistleblowers/cops and Bloggers were all vindicated by the IJCI that this would end. Well we know it hasn't, as demonstrated by Current Home Affairs Minister LEN NORMAN who tried to portray Deputy Mike Higgins as a troublemaker/conspiracy theorist just as others did before him to (vindicated) Stuart Syvret.

So, finally on to the compare and contrast of the JEP editorials.

JEP EDITORIAL 2009:

"RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS

THE proposal that the States should be televised live on the internet should remind us that, as time
marches on, the media of mass communication evolve. A certain amount of hoo-hah over who should be allowed to video Scrutiny panel hearings also reminds us that a new breed of media person is abroad – or would like to be abroad.

Citizen journalists, as they call themselves, believe that they should share the same rights of access as
more traditional media such as newspaper reporters and TV or radio broadcasters.

In itself that sounds like a reasonable idea and a potential enhancement of democracy. The new kids on the block, however, must realise that if they want privileges they must play by the rules – and that involves signing up to codes of conduct and refraining from defaming everyone who is framed in the view finder or splashed all over a blog.

Until that sort of agreement can be negotiated and finalised, citizen journalists are about as welcome as citizen brain surgeons, citizen airline pilots or, indeed, citizen bricklayers."

JEP EDITORIAL 2020:

"THE Independent Jersey Care Inquiry evidenced beyond doubt that  victims and those who were in desperate need of support did not trust government departments which were supposed to provide it. There was also distrust on the other side of the fence – a reluctance to believe people who said that they were abused by those in positions of authority and responsibility.

As a consequence, marginalised Islanders turned to anti-establishment politicians and bloggers outside of the mainstream who they trusted. They became their champions and ensured the spotlight shone on things that others wanted to ignore or forget.

Long-serving backbencher Deputy Mike Higgins was one of those who used his position in the States to give voice to victims who felt unable or were unwilling to seek redress through more official channels – or who simply were not listened to.

In the wake of the inquiry report there were promises of action and better funding, of putting children first and taking steps to make sure mistakes were not repeated. And yet still there are stories of failings, of case-loads which make providing a good service impossible, of mistakes and cover-ups.

And still those fighting against the system turn to people like Deputy Higgins.

There will, no doubt, be people reading today’s front-page and issuing a sigh – irked by or not interested in what the St Helier Member has to say in his questioning of the Children’s Minister.

But to dismiss the allegations would be to demonstrate that the lessons of the past have not been learned.

Assertions of anything from abuse to malpractice and incompetence must, of course, be tested in appropriate ways, as not all allegations will be fair or true, but it is critical that people with grievances and complaints are empowered to speak out, to blow the whistle and to be heard.

In her opening remarks summarising the panels’ findings, chairwoman of the Independent Care Inquiry Frances Oldham QC quoted the 2008 words of the Howard League for Penal Reform after it reviewed Jersey’s youth justice system. She said: ‘Powerful interlocking networks may exclude and disempower those outside of the groups and make it hard for those outside of those networks, who have genuine concerns, to raise them or make complaints in an effective way. This is likely to be particularly true of deprived, disadvantaged and powerless children.’ The powerful networks of today might be different to those of the past, but they remain and there is still a gulf between them and the powerless. It is through that lens that we should read Deputy Higgins’s comments.

Editor: Andy Sibcy editorial@jerseyeveningpost.com" (END)

It is clear that the JEP has learned some lessons from the past. It's editorial today is not attempting to silence or ridicule the whistleblower, (Deputy Mike Higgins) it is (rightly) telling us to listen to him before the "mistakes" of the past are repeated.

The editorial appears to acknowledge its own (and all island Old Media) mistakes of the past when it concedes that trying to cover up the truth will only push people towards those who/were are telling it (Bloggers)

Quote JEP:

"As a consequence, marginalised Islanders turned to anti-establishment politicians and bloggers outside of the mainstream who they trusted. They became their champions and ensured the spotlight shone on things that others wanted to ignore or forget."

A line I wrote from the 2009 EDITORIAL:

"Citizens Media is here and it is here to stay, get used to it Shipley, you helped create it/us."    

So credit where credit is due. The JEP (evidenced by the two editorials) has come a long way since 2009. Unfortunately The BBC and ITV/CTV remain where they always were, untrusted, unreliable and completely silent (as far as we are aware) on the concerns raised by Deputy Higgins in the States yesterday. It was the (Old) Media's silence that helped the cover-up(s)...........History (in some cases) repeating itself.

Children's Minister Senator Sam Mezec discusses Memorial for Abuse Survivors.

Children's Minister Senator Sam Mezec

In November 2011 we published a Blog Posting entitled "STATE SPONSORED PAEDOPHILIA. It was a statement released by the former (possibly illegally) suspended Jersey Chief Police Officer Graham Power QPM. The statement was released in response to a damming report published by the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Sub Panel headed up by former Deputy Trevor Pitman.

The Report was damming on the local State Media for its inaccurate and bias reporting regarding the financial management of Operation Rectangle (Child Abuse police Investigation). It  (the report) has been described as "the most defining report of its era" and a shortened version can be viewed HERE with the full report posted HERE.

The former Chief Police Officer's statement in response to the report included the words:

"The attempts to divert this debate into discussions concerning the trivia of expense claims, is a scandal of which all involved should be thoroughly ashamed."

Former SIO Lenny Harper

What he was referring to is the local media's role in reporting how much Senior Investigating Officer, (SIO) Lenny Harper, spent on a Prawn Cocktail in a London Restaurant and diverted the attention away from the public of the horrendous abuse that had been able to go on for decades and covered up by those in authority. The local media was never held to account for its disgraceful propaganda and the Scrutiny Sub Panel's report and recommendations sits on a shelf gathering dust (like most Scrutiny Reports).

Now, almost a decade later, we see history (the media) repeating itself in relation to the proposed memorial (as recommended by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry) for the Survivors of abuse. The media are attempting: "to divert this debate into discussions concerning the trivia of expense" giving at any opportunity to report how much the memorial is going to cost, and of course a great number of people have followed the media's lead/agenda and are experts on how better the money could be spent elsewhere. A lot of these online self proclaimed money experts seem to only have a view on the money but not on the abuse that was perpetrated, and covered up, for decades.

With that in mind we have decided to publish the interview with the Children's Minister in two parts. This is so those who aren't interested in a solution to bring Abuse Survivors together and find some kind of consensus regarding the memorial they can watch part one (below) and talk about the (media led) money.

For those who are interested in attempting to unite the survivors rather than keeping them divided by "taking a side," either for or against the memorial, then part two of the interview should interest you. Again we have seen, online, so many experts on what's best for Abuse Survivors or not. From our perspective we don't see Survivors as a "one size fit all" we see them as individuals with their own personal experiences. Taking a side does not help their cause, it keeps them divided, and therefore the old "divide a conquer" wins yet again.

Team Voice has been campaigning for Abuse Survivors for more than a decade now, we have published around 600 Blog Postings almost exclusively fighting their corner, exposing the lies and corruption of those in authority. We were instrumental in formulating the Terms of Reference for the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (IJCI). We have given evidence to numerous Scrutiny Panels both written and oral. We were asked to submit evidence to the IJCI which we did and appeared as a witness in support of Survivors. We were asked by Survivors to sit with them while they gave evidence anonymously at the IJCI public hearings which we happily did. Our support is for ALL Survivors and that means not taking a side when they are in disagreement with each other. Perhaps those who are "taking sides" might want to reflect and ask just how much good they are really doing? 

We are conscious that there are some well meaning supporters who are taking sides, and genuinely supporting the Survivors they have been in contact with, but we are also aware that there are "false prophets" among them who want to keep Survivors divided for their own duplicitous agenda so beware.

The Children's Minister has a hell of a task on his hands and is in a unenviable position in attempting to implement the recommendation(s) of the IJCI by commissioning some kind of a (sympathetic) memorial and at the same time not causing any further trauma to those Survivors who are against it. What he is looking for is solutions and not political point scoring and personal attacks from "the usual suspects." We have witnessed some online commenters hijacking this very sensitive, and emotive, subject by those who don't share Senator Mezec's politics in order to sling mud at him. To our way of thinking this is not about politics, it's not about the Minister, it's about the Survivors, what can be done to bring them together and do what's right by them and the good people of Jersey? Those trying to score political points, along with the media, should be holding their heads in shame and certainly are not on the side of the Survivors.

We are pleased to announce that the Minister has agreed to sit around a table with survivors, both for and against the memorial, in order to see if some kind of a consensus/agreement can be met and we will look to make that happen in the very near future.

A big thank you to the Minister for sitting down in front of a camera, on a Sunday afternoon, in order to try and navigate the public through this very controversial, sensitive and emotive subject.

We hope those with an interest in finding a solution, and uniting the Survivors, will watch part two of the interview (below) and hopefully have some constructive feedback on a positive way forward which we are sure the Minister would take onboard. For those with an interest in part one don't bother watching part two.

Advocate Philip Sinel Gives his Reaction to the (infamous) Speech of William Bailhache. (Part one)

Advocate Philip Sinel

On Tuesday 8th of October 2019 the retiring Bailiff, WILIAM BAILHACHE, abused his dual position as the Head of Judiciary, and Speaker of Parliament, to launch a political and personal attack on the Chairman (Francis Oldham QC) of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. He did this in the now infamous SPEECH and by abusing the "Communications by the presiding Officer" element of the States Sitting he could NOT (like any elected non-conflicted) be questioned on his speech/statement.

We called this speech a personal VENDETTA carried out on behalf of his brother (and former Bailiff) Philip Bailhache. Where William Bailhache used the words of Francis Oldham QC against her where she wrote of Philip Bailhache (about his equally infamous 2008 liberation Day speech) in her 2017 REPORT:

FRANCIS OLDHAM QC:

“We cannot accept that a politician and lawyer (Philip Bailhache) of his experience would inadvertently have made what he told the Inquiry was an “unfortunate juxtaposition” of words. We are sure that the way in which Jersey is perceived internationally matters greatly to him. His linking of Jersey’s reputation to the child abuse investigation was, we are satisfied, a grave political error,”

WILLIAM BAILHACHE:

“I cannot accept that a lawyer of the Chairman’s experience would inadvertently have drafted such an unfortunate juxtaposition of words. I am sure that the way in which Jersey receives her panel’s report matters greatly to her. Her linkage of allegations of lack of fairness and transparency in decision taking, by the Bailiff to historic (sic) Child Abuse was a grave error.”

As readers would expect the William Bailhache statement/speech sent ripples (Tidal Waves) across New and Old Media and we sought the reactions of the Children's Minister Senator Sam Mezec which we published HERE. The former Senior Investigating Officer of the Jersey Police Child Abuse Investigation (Operation Rectangle) Mr. Lenny Harper, who William Bailhache (unbelievably) seemingly couldn't praise enough for his investigation. We published Mr. Harper's response(s) HERE and HERE.

We also sought the reaction from local constitutional expert, and Advocate, Philip Sinel (video below), who in his trademark fashion told it how it is (from his point of view) and he didn't hold back. He made a few interesting observations, not least, that former Bailiff, and Senator, Philip Bailhache, was pushed, and didn't jump, from the role of Bailiff. It does seem a little bizarre that he allegedly "retired" as Bailiff through "ill health" but felt well enough to run an election CAMPAIGN. Not only run an election campaign but once elected becomes External Relations Minister jetting all over the world. But he felt too ill to be the Bailiff?

Former SIO Lenny Harper

As readers would expect, The Bailiff's apparent total VINDICATION of former Senior Investigating Officer, Lenny Harper, and indeed Operation Rectangle, does not tally-up with his actions/in-actions during his time as AG (during Rectangle) and Advocate Sinel points a number of these out. Including, apparently, having the former Police Chief, Graham Power QPM unsuccessfully criminally investigated as part of the Curtis Warren "car bugging incident" which we reported on HERE, and HERE. We further Exclusively published the BARTON REPORT which was the disciplinary investigation into the cops involved in the Curtis Warren case. The cops were all exonerated but the Law Offices' Department were left with some very uncomfortable questions to answer.

Quote from Barton Report:

"I do find it odd that having asked the Hampshire Police to 
investigate the matters surrounding the Curtis Warren police operation, the
 authorities in Jersey did not co-operate fully in the way that I would have expected
 given that it was they that asked for the enquiry to be carried out. Mr. Cessford made 
this very clear and I have no reason to doubt it and that caused me some
 considerable surprise. I maintain that this lack of co-operation or, perhaps more 
accurately, lack of complete co-operation, can only have compromised the
 Hampshire enquiry and limited the full facts available to me to make a decision in this
 case..................."

Further discussed in part one of this interview is the burning question as to why no Jersey Law Firm has ever taken up the cause for Abuse Survivors? Advocate Sinel HAS given (pro bono) advice to survivors where he can, but as he says in the interview, this is not his legal expertise and there ARE Law firms/lawyers who do specialise in this field yet Survivors have to rely, pretty much one ONE Lawyer from the UK, Alan Collins.

Current Bailiff Tim Le Cocq

We ask Advocate Philip sinel, among much more, is it the fact that Crown Offices' SG/AG/Deputy Bailiff/Bailiff and the Law Offices Department act they way they do because they are totally unaccountable? Is "THE JERSEY SITUATION" because of The Bailhache Brothers or because of the Office of Bailiff itself? Are things going to be any different under the rein of newly BUGGINSESS TURN SYSTEM OF PROMOTION elected Bailiff Tim Le Cocq? Can the UK legislate for Jersey? Whose "interests" are the Lieutenant Governors looking after? We have previously SUGGESTED that he be called as a witness to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. (That never happened)

We hope that readers with an interest in "The Jersey situation" or "The Jersey Way" or local constitutional issues find this interview of interest.

Part two coming soon..........................................

Independent Jersey Care Inquiry Two Year Review. (Part 2)

IJCI Panel

On the 25th September 2019 we published PART ONE of our series concerning the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry's (IJCI) second damming REPORT into the "care" of children in Jersey. In our previous posting we said:

"In the coming weeks we intend on publishing excerpts of the Report which we think will be of interest to our readers/viewers."

And:

"In part two of this series we will publish the interview with Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondre, and Children's Minister, Senator Sam Mezec."

Below is that interview, and among other topics, we discuss the two paragraphs, from the IJCI second report and they are:

Attorney General Robert McRae

18  "There are two aspects of the new Children’s Commissioner legislation which cause us concern. First, it is essential that the Commissioner should have access to all documentation she requires in pursuit of any inquiry. Amendments to the legislation allowed legal advice given by the Law Officers Department to be withheld from the Commissioner, albeit with a provision that the Attorney General could make such advice available if he believed it to be in the public interest, having first applied a public interest test. Whilst we fully understand the importance of the convention that legal advice is not disclosed, we consider that, in setting the arrangement as it now stands, there is a real likelihood of suspicion being generated that critical matters are being covered up and that the “Jersey Way” is being perpetuated. We will come back to the “Jersey Way” later, but suffice to say, arrangements which could be seen to perpetuate this undermining belief should be avoided. To that end, we recommend that the presumption by the Law Officers Department should be framed to indicate that relevant legal advice will be made available to the Commissioner and withheld only where a public interest test is met for non-disclosure. This would symbolise a willingness to be open and transparent in most circumstances, since we believe that there should be few circumstances where it would not be appropriate to let the Commissioner have sight of legal advice, given the very direct impact such advice can have on the long-term outcome for a child." 

Former (possibly illegally suspended) Chief of Police Graham Power QPM

21 "Whilst we would hope that it never becomes necessary to remove a Children’s Commissioner from post, it is nonetheless vital that robust arrangements are in place should the need arise. This is important for the protection of the office but also for the protection of the Commissioner, so that she can undertake her duties without fear of repercussions. The current provision in legislation for ending the appointment of a commissioner is for the Chief Minister and the President of the Chairmen’s Committee to bring forward a proposal to that effect, which would be presented to a sitting of the States Assembly held in-camera. Whilst the Commissioner would have a right to make written representations to the Assembly, we consider it essential that she should be entitled to make representations in person during the in-camera session. We accept that on matters of this nature, regard must be given to protecting the privacy of the Commissioner, hence the need for proceedings to take place in a private session. We consider the Commissioner should also have the right to waive that facility in favour of an open public consideration. Our concern here is to ensure that circumstances, similar to those which pertained at the time of the removal from office of the former Chief Officer of Police, are not replicated. Jersey must demonstrate that it will deal with such a matter in ways which will evidence fairness and as much transparency as possible. We therefore recommend that in reviewing the law, consideration be given to achieving the objective of fully demonstrable fairness in any proceedings to remove a Children’s Commissioner from office."

Readers/viewers will note from the above two paragraphs that "The Jersey Way" remains prevalent which is mentioned further in the report and we will look to explore in more detail as part of this series. 

Regular readers/viewers will also know that following the (possibly illegal) suspension of the former Police Chief, the then Home Affairs Minister, Ian Le Marquand, possibly broke the law by publishing a redacted version of the prosecution case made against the former Chief Police Officer. Indeed he went on a media roadshow with it and conducted his own KANGAROO COURT with it. Graham Power subsequently wrote his interim DEFENCE CASE to the Wiltshire Constabulary's prosecution case which Ian Le Marquand refused to publish. It was then leaked to The BBC, who along with the rest of the Old Media, had been broadcasting/publishing parts of the prosecution case, but despite being leaked the defence case decided to BURY IT. It was subsequently leaked to the rest of the Island's Old Media who too decided to bury it. The prosecution case is published on the States of Jersey website and STILL the defence case is only published on THIS BLOG. To this day NONE of the local Old Media (to the best of our knowledge) have reported a single word of it. Equally as unjust the defence case does NOT sit alongside the prosecution case on the States website.

During the interview with the Chief Minister/Children's Minister (below) I reminded the Chief Minister that the last time WE SPOKE  (over a year ago) he said he would "look in to it" (the injustice of having the prosecution case on the State website and not the defence case) and would "get back to me." He hadn't/hasn't got back to me. He has once more assured me that he "will look into it."

As mentioned in the video interview; are we just rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic? The way Jersey is constructed, and particularly the many hats worn by the (conflicted) Attorney General's Office, is the biggest problem? No matter what avenues one goes down they all seem to lead to the door of the AG. This too is discussed in the video interview. We/regular readers will know that not all  (if any) AG's have been as acquainted with the truth as one would HOPE. 

The fact that the AG's Office seek to withhold legal advice from the Children's commissioner is 
(or could be seen as) The Jersey Way. Similarly the secretive way the Children's Commissioner can be gotten rid of is (or can be seen as) The Jersey Way. Readers/viewers, after watching the interview, will have to make up their mind as to whether assurances/answers given by the Chief Minister, and Children's Minister, are enough to keep today's/tomorrow's children, and whistleblowers, safe?

As we did, in PART ONE of this series, we asked the Chief Minister and Children's Minister if all the positive parts of the damming REPORT were overshadowed by a (distraught) lady making (at the IJCI presentation) "a number of allegations against Children's Services/Social Workers and the "care" of children, by the State, in General. Claiming continued cover-ups, being stonewalled and her child(ren), along with herself being failed by a system that's trying to protect itself."

Deputy Mike Higgins

We are aware that due to the intervention of Deputy Mike Higgins that the lady's case is (finally) being looked at. This is a case that we might return to on the Blog but things do look to be going in a more positive direction than what they were.

On a slightly more positive note we (VFC/Bloggers/New Media) are pleased for the recognition, and SUPPORT, of the IJCI and we are also pleased to have that same support (mentioned in video interview) from the Chief Minister and Children's Minister who we thank for this interview.