CLAIMS that there is a conflict of interest between his role as Jersey’s chief prosecutor and his brother’s position as chief judge have been rejected by Attorney General William Bailhache.
Speaking publicly for the first time about his relationship with his brother – the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache – Mr Bailhache has described these claims made in the national media and in some local circles as ‘nonsense’.
The claims of a conflict were made in relation to the historical child abuse inquiry.
‘I will do my job in relation to this investigation with integrity as I have always done,’ he said.
He said that both he and Sir Philip were always sensitive to the situation and he did not appear before the Bailiff in court in any contentious matters – in fact, he hardly had the opportunity to appear in court at all because of other commitments.
Mr Bailhache was appointed by the Queen as the Island’s Attorney General in 2000, succeeding Michael Birt, who became Deputy Bailiff at the same time.
His brother Sir Philip (62) has been a States Member since 1972, when he was elected Deputy for Grouville. He resigned to take up the position of Solicitor General in 1975 and became Attorney General 11 years later. He then became Deputy Bailiff in 1994 and was appointed Bailiff the following year, succeeding Sir Peter Crill.
Article posted on 23rd August, 2008 - 10.00am
9 Article Comments
The JEP have given the front page and a double page spread to Baihache to explain why there is no conflict of interest in him and his brother controlling the Law on this island.
Will the JEP next week be giving a front page and double-page spread to someone offering an opposing view? Or is such impartiality too much too expect?
I fear once again the JEP has shown itself to be nothing but a mouthpiece of the establishment. Prove me wrong, please. Print that opposing view, equally promoted.
Its a blatant conflict of interest and insulting to suggest otherwise!
utter drivle
I question the integrity of both brothers in relation to the abuse inquiry as any intelligent person would after their actions and words, for this simple reason - if there is any question about there roles someone with integrity would want the inquiry to be open and seen to be open
Protestations from the AG and/or Bailiff that there is no conflict of interest are irrelevant. The real question is whether an independent and impartial observer viewing the whole judicial process might conclude there was a lack of impartiality. Such a conclusion is inevitable once the Bailiff rules in a case in favour of the prosecution.
No conflict of interest? Do they think we are all stupid? Even the brain dead of the Island know that the system is totally corrupt. If you don’t believe me, get out on the streets and do a poll
How long does this have to go on before someone steps in and does the decent thing? Is there no oversight to this system at all, and how can it be called a healthy democracy if there isn’t?
Without a doubt they are biased, the Bailiff’s Liberation Day speech was pure bias against the victims.
The man is a disgrace. Why on earth do they continue to oppose outside intervention? What are they trying to hide?
Even an admission at this late stage would win them some belated respect .
Without it, they are the people responsible for brining Jersey into disrepute the world over.
The only person who would think there is no conflict of interest is Robert Mugabe. Do they really think the public are that naive. It will be interesting to see if any of the forthcoming candidates will mention this in their manifesto.