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2.13 Deputy T.M. Pitman of the Chief Minister regarding the raid on the German Consul's home last year:
Will the Chief Minister advise the Assembly as to whether the former Assistant Minister for External Relations was informed about the raid on the German Consul's home last year and if not, why not?
Senator I.J. Gorst (The Chief Minister):
This question relates to an ongoing operational matter and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I am speechless. If the Minister is going to stonewall I do not know what I can say really but what I would like to ask the Minister is if it was a diplomatic incident - which surely it would be is my understanding - would the Assistant Minister for External Relations not have to be informed as that is part of his role? Could the Minister at least inform us of that?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
I do not wish to talk about a particular case as I have said and therefore I shall endeavour not to do so. As the Deputy probably knows, the law governing issues with relation to Honorary Consuls is the Privileges and Immunities (Diplomatic, Consular, etc.) (Jersey) Law 1998 and that outlines how these issues must be dealt with.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
Could I ask the Chief Minister whether representatives from the German Government came to the Island on this issue and were concerned about the raid and the taking of computers that involved matters relating to the German state?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
That obviously is part of the operational matter which I do not propose to answer at this point because it is ongoing.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I rise with trepidation. Could the Chief Minister perhaps indicate when he thinks he may be able to make some comment, especially as a number of States Members have been contacted about threats being made that this matter should be dropped or certain people will suffer with their reputations being smeared, because I think that is very serious?
Senator I.J. Gorst :
Obviously it is a police matter and then for the Prosecution Service as such to decide what the outcome will be. If the Deputy is receiving such threats, I suggest that the appropriate thing for him or other Members to do is to talk to the police.
Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I just clarify that I am not receiving threats but there is material being sent to a number of Members indicating that people involved in this case are being threatened to keep quiet.
Senator I.J. Gorst :
I do not think that I can add to the answer that I gave some moments ago with regard to if people feel that they are being threatened in this matter to refer it to the police.
Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I thank the Chief Minister for that.