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PERSONAL STATEMENT TO BE MADE BY DEPUTY A.D. LEWIS OF ST. HELIER
ON TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2017
As members will know, I have been cited in the Independent Jersey Childcare Inquiry report, of having lied to the Panel and also to this Assembly. I emphatically deny both allegations.
The alleged lie to the Assembly is said to have occurred in the States chamber on 2nd December 2008. There is no doubt about what I said, as this is accurately recorded in Hansard. In the material passage I said in answer to a question from the Constable of St Helier that "I have read an alarming report from the Metropolitan Police which led me to this decision in the first place". Perhaps that answer could have been better expressed. What I had read was alarming extracts from the report of the Metropolitan Police which was contained in a summary report from the Deputy Chief Officer of the States Of Jersey Police. For obvious reasons I was anxious not to identify him as one of the sources of my information. The Deputy Chief Officer, in commenting on his Chief Officer had put his own career in jeopardy. In hindsight I may have used language under pressure of answering questions that was not as clear as it should have been, in other words I used a shorthand when referring to the name of the report. In retrospect I accept this was less than ideal, but necessary to explain the situation. I also accept that it was possible for my words to be misconstrued. I had no intention, however, of misleading any member of the States.
I deeply regret not being more precise in the language I used and I wish to express my sincere apologies to any member of the States at that time who may have felt misled by what I said.
In summary, my statement to the Assembly and later statement to the Inquiry were never intended to deceive
With regard to the committee of inquiry, I sought to cooperate fully with their investigation and at no time did I provide them with any false information. I do not know how they reached the conclusions that they did, their report does not state in what respect I am alleged to have lied to them. I asked to discuss the matter with them but they refuse to do so. I intend to continue to request an explanation from the Chair of the Panel.
Some members have suggested that I should resign from the chairmanship of PAC. With the agreement of the PAC I stepped aside several months ago, I believe this was the most practical and honorable thing to do. I have discussed the matter more recently with the remaining members of the PAC and they have asked that I take no further action in this regard until the outcome of the censure vote is known.