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4.1 Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding the number of alleged abuse cases relating to the cellars at Haut de la Garenne:
Would the Minister advise the Assembly how many of the 30 alleged abuse cases relating to the cellars at Haut de la Garenne are still part of the ongoing historic abuse investigations; how many, if any, are not being pursued, when was it decided to discontinue their investigation and for what reason?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand (The Minister for Home Affairs):
In answer to a question previously I indicated there were 30 such allegations. Those, in fact, were made not by 30 people but by 8 people. These were all properly investigated by the police, sometimes with the benefit of legal advice and none of these complaints passed the evidential test so as to warrant a prosecution.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Could the Minister clarify whether the former lead officer in the case, Mr. Gradwell - I do not believe I can avoid naming him - invited some of the Haut de la Garenne survivors to the police station to show them some examples of evidence, i.e. shackles that had been found in the cellars. If this is correct would this action not have made the evidence inadmissible in a court of law?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
I am unaware of any such occurrence. That does not mean I am saying it did not
happen, I am simply not aware of it. I would have needed to have specific notice of
such a detailed question.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Could I ask that the Minister seek out the information and report it back to me? Would that be possible, please?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
It would be helpful if I could have something precisely in writing so I know exactly what the question is, I am then happy to make inquiries.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
Yes, if I could just follow up on the question. Is it usual in criminal cases for an investigating officer to show evidence such as the things that have been said in a criminal case to witnesses before they have gone into court?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
There are grave dangers in criminal investigations of police officers revealing too much detail which can subsequently contaminate the evidence of witnesses. That is a particular concern in all criminal investigations and therefore officers should be very careful not to lead witnesses in any way by providing them with information or showing them items in such a way that might contaminate their evidence.
- Deputy F.J. Hill of St. Martin :
Will the Minister confirm that among the 8 people who made the allegations that one of them was made through an advocate? Will the Minister confirm?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
Again, I do not have that level of detail.
The Bailiff :
Deputy Pitman, final question.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Could the Minister clarify whether the whole media strategy surrounding the historic abuse inquiry was a Home Affairs strategy or a police strategy? If a police strategy, was the lead individual still overseen by the Minister?
The Bailiff :
It is not clear how that arises out of this question but, Minister, it is up to you if you want to answer.
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
I am answering with some caution because I do not want to trespass into expressing an opinion in relation to disciplinary matters as Members will understand. But it is my understanding that the media strategy was a police strategy not a Home Affairs strategy. I could be wrong on that but that is my understanding.