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WQ.390/2023
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER
BY DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 9th OCTOBER 2023 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 16th OCTOBER 2023
The Chief Minister tabled a revised answer on 19th October 2023 to this question following a decision by the Bailiff , under Standing Order 12(4)(c), that the original question was not directly relevant to the question asked.
Question
“Will the Chief Minister state when she anticipates that the inquiries into the explosion at Haut du Mont and the Collision of L'Ecume II will be concluded; and will she advise whether the full reports and findings will be published, and if so, when?”
Answer
The joint States of Jersey Police and Health & Safety Inspectorate inquiry into the explosion at Haut du Mont, named Operation Spire, is one of the largest and most complex criminal investigations in the Island’s history. The investigation relies on specialist technical and scientific off-island examinations and reporting by experts. These examinations and reports will provide the investigation team with the necessary evidence to progress the investigations to a conclusion.
The States of Jersey Police have also been simultaneously investigating the tragic incident off the coast of St Ouen – Operation Nectar. This is a similarly large and complex investigation.
It is important that both investigations are thorough and rigorous in order to reassure the bereaved families and indeed all islanders that every effort has been made to establish the facts.
A file of evidence has been submitted to the Law Officers’ Department (“LOD”) relating to Operation Nectar. Given the size and complexity of the file it will take some time to consider the evidence submitted by the States of Jersey Police. It is anticipated that a similar file of evidence will be submitted to the LOD with regard to Operation Spire when the experts’ reports have been received, fully considered and the investigation concluded.
Operation Nectar and Operation Spire are investigations that are independent of Government. Accordingly, it is not possible for the Chief Minister to anticipate when they might conclude and it would be improper for a Minister to seek to influence the process of a criminal investigation. The Chief Minister is also not able to advise whether the reports and findings of these independent investigations will be published. This will be a decision for the investigating and prosecuting authorities to take at the appropriate time.