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2.12 Deputy T.M. Pitman of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding the interim Report of the Metropolitan Police:
I thought the Assistant Minister did not wish to answer it but if she has changed her mind I am very happy to ask it.
The Deputy Bailiff :
We are not able to take this question at any other time as it is there in the Standing Orders. It is not the same with the urgent question, which we can take at any time
under Standing Orders. If you wish to put this question now, you may put it
otherwise you may have to leave it for another session. Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I am going to put it, Sir. Will the Assistant Minister inform Members on what date in 2008 the Metropolitan Police were requested to forward an interim report, who requested it, whether it was used in connection with the suspension of the Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police and whether the Minister will make the report available to States Members?
Deputy J.A. Hilton (Assistant Minister for Home Affairs - rapporteur):
I did say at the start of the questions that considering the seriousness of the matter that
I did not feel sufficiently briefed enough to answer these questions in detail. I
understand from your ruling that the Minister would not be able to answer this question tomorrow. Could I possibly request that Deputy Pitman brings it forward at the next sitting, or that the Minister can answer his question in writing? Although, I do understand from looking at the written questions today, there is quite a comprehensive answer submitted by the Minister for Home Affairs to a question that was lodged by the Deputy of St. Martin surrounding the same matter.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I would like to know if the Assistant Minister could clarify how her Minister, because I am sure they must talk, can be quite clear that this report existed on the stated date, the 10th, being, as he openly admits, he has never seen it?
Deputy J.A. Hilton:
I am not aware that the Minister has stated publicly that he has never seen the report but, that aside, I did attend a meeting on Friday where I did have sight of the Met. Report.
- The Deputy of St. Mary :
I am looking at the written question answer and I notice that the interim report was produced not for disciplinary purposes; that is the answer to the ninth question. The answer to the twelfth question, it was used for the purposes for which it was originally intended. Can the Minister tell Members why, on the basis of that interim report, the Acting Chief Officer then drafted his famous letter which was based on the interim report.
Deputy J.A. Hilton:
That is a matter that has only been discussed between the Minister for Home Affairs and the Acting Chief Officer. As I stated before, I really do not want to be drawn into matters surrounding the disciplinary matter. Members need to understand I was only informed at 8.00 a.m. this morning. I simply did not have enough time to have a thorough comprehensive briefing on this matter. I would be doing an injustice to Members and the public listening this morning, if I attempted to answer the questions.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Could the Assistant Minister, to the best of her ability, advise the Assembly whether the Acting Chief Police Officer, already knew the person whom you requested the report from? Did the Acting Chief Police Officer know the person who you requested that interim report from?
Deputy J.A. Hilton:
I am sorry I do not have that information.