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2.15 The Deputy of St. Martin of the Chief Minister regarding allegations made against the former Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police:
In view of the fact that during oral question time on 30th June 2009, the Chief Minister agreed that States Members should apologise when they make allegations against individuals that are not substantiated, will the Chief Minister inform Members whether he has asked the Minister for Home Affairs to apologise for allegations made against the former Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police? If not, why not?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur (The Chief Minister):
I am not clear what allegations the Deputy is referring to. I am not aware of any matters whatsoever which might require an apology from the Minister for Home Affairs. Accordingly I have made no such request of the Minister. If the Minister is aware of any such matters and feels the need to apologise, I can assure the Deputy that I have full confidence in the Minister's judgment in this matter.
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
Could I help the Chief Minister? The Minister for Home Affairs had, for several months, an opportunity to arrange a discipline hearing to put the allegations to the Chief Officer that he eventually made at the end of July. Does he not think it is not good government for these allegations to be made public on the day when the Chief Officer is retiring and then withdrawn? So in other words allegations were made and were not substantiated. Therefore if the Chief Minister would be consistent an apology should be forthcoming from the Minister for Home Affairs.
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
There are 2 issues there. Firstly, as I say, I have full confidence in the Minister's judgment in this matter. If the Minister made allegations against individuals, he no doubt did so because he believed that they were substantiated.
- The Connétable of St. Helier :
Does the Chief Minister agree that the disciplinary investigation that we were referring to was not complete and therefore that in Jersey a person is still innocent until proven guilty?
Senator T.A. Le Sueur :
Yes.
The Bailiff :
We come next then to the question which Deputy Southern will ask of the Chief Minister.