Is there any evidence to suggest that the Chief Executive Officer was involved in the establishment of Operation Blast and, will he as a neutral act be suspended while this matter is investigated

3.6   Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier of the Chief Minister regarding the involvement of the Chief Executive Officer in the establishment of Operation Blast':

Noted, Sir. I am sure it was not aimed at me just. The Bailiff :

It was aimed at all Members, Deputy .

Deputy T.M. Pitman:

Indeed, Sir. Would the Chief Minister advise whether there is any evidence to suggest that the Chief Executive Officer was involved in the establishment of Operation Blast and, if so, will he as a neutral act be suspended while this matter is investigated?

Senator T.A. Le Sueur (The Chief Minister):

I have seen no evidence whatsoever substantiating an allegation that the Chief Executive Officer was involved in the establishment of Operation Blast. Accordingly, I see no reason to suspend the officer concerned.

1. Deputy T.M. Pitman:

A supplementary, Sir. Could the Chief Minister clarify for the House whether the Chief Executive Officer is named in the memo from the Chief of Police?

Senator T.A. Le Sueur :

I hesitate to answer this because I am aware that there is an inquiry or investigation going on about this matter which the Minister for Home Affairs referred to in an earlier answer. Part of that investigation requires a duty of confidentiality on all sides. I think on that basis I am going to be very circumspect in my answer. I am aware of a document circulating which does contain the name of the Chief Executive Officer.

2. Senator B.E. Shenton:

Does the Chief Minister believe that where States Members make allegations against individuals that are not substantiated that they should in fact apologise to the individuals concerned?  [Approbation]

Senator T.A. Le Sueur :

Yes, I could have added in my answer that I regard it as totally unacceptable that these implications and inferences should be made without any evidence whatsoever and I deplore them.

3. The Deputy of St. John :

Has the Chief Minister, given his earlier reply, made inquiries with the Police Chief as to whom the senior officers within States employment may have been ... let me think. How can I put it without bringing names out? Can he confirm that he has made contact with the Police Chief and been told who the senior officers are that were involved ... who know about Operation Blast, is probably the easiest way?

Senator T.A. Le Sueur :

The conduct of this investigation is being handled by the Minister for Home Affairs. I have every confidence in that Minister, to whom I have spoken. I have every confidence that that Minister will perform that duty in a thorough and conscientious way and make all inquiries required.

4. Deputy F.J. Hill of St. Martin :

I did not quite catch the Chief Minister's answer. But could I just ask the Chief Minister, has he asked the Chief Executive Officer whether he was involved at any time with Operation Blast or anything connected with the case we are talking about?

Senator T.A. Le Sueur :

Yes, the Chief Executive Officer has made it quite clear to me, and I have said in my

answer that there has been no evidence whatsoever that the Chief Executive Officer has been involved in any way in the establishment of Operation Blast.

The Deputy of St. Martin :

Can I just press then that the Chief Minister has asked him?  That is the question I am getting at there.

Senator T.A. Le Sueur :

I did not need to ask because I was told by the Chief Executive Officer that he was not in any way involved.

5. Deputy M.R. Higgins of St. Helier :

Has the Chief Minister discussed this matter with the Minister for Home Affairs and is he aware of the contents of the Chief Police Officer's memo? And ... in fact I will leave it at that.

Senator T.A. Le Sueur :

Yes, I have already made it clear that I have discussed the matter with the Minister for Home Affairs and, yes, I am aware of the document issued by the Chief Officer of Police.

6. Deputy M. Tadier :

I believe the Chief Minister may have clarified but if he can do so again. Initially when asked whether the Chief Executive Officer had spoken of his involvement, the Chief Minister said that the Chief Executive Officer said there was no evidence of his involvement which is maybe true but that is not what he was asked. Could the Chief Minister confirm categorically once again that the Chief Executive Officer has said that he was not involved in these files and their setting up?

Senator T.A. Le Sueur :

I do not know how much clearer I can make it to the Member concerned or to Members generally. The Chief Executive Officer has made it quite clear that he has not been involved in the establishment of Operation Blast.

7. Deputy T.M. Pitman:

I think everyone in this House would adhere to the belief that innocent until proven guilty. However, the Chief Police Officer also maintains that he is innocent. Should this evidence arise - I go back to my first question - will the Chief Minister suspend the C.E.O. if evidence does arise?

Senator T.A. Le Sueur :

That is a hypothetical question but clearly should such evidence arise then I shall have to consider the position very seriously indeed and it may well involve suspension. Being a hypothetical question, I can only give a hypothetical answer.

The Deputy of St. John :

On a point of order, Sir, if I may. Originally I asked the Minister for Home Affairs the original question and it was disallowed. Given that the Chief Minister is hiding behind the work of Home Affairs in his original reply, should my original question not be answered by the Minister for Home Affairs, because I think there is somewhat of a cover up, for want of a better word, going on between the Ministers themselves.

The Bailiff :

The short answer to your question is no, Deputy . You cannot ask a question of the Minister for Home Affairs when the Chief Minister is being questioned by a Member.