Abuse couple: Senator was at 1999 meeting

Thursday 1st May 2008, 12:00AM BST.

FORMER Health Minister Stuart Syvret was present at a 1999 meeting when abuse allegations against a couple who ran a States children’s home and who are now the subject of a police investigation were discussed, committee minutes have revealed.

Senator Syvret, who has claimed that he found out about allegations of abuse by Jane and Alan Maguire only last year and has accused senior States officers of covering up abuse at the Blanche Pierre home, attended the Health and Social Services meeting in May 1999 at which the Maguires were discussed.

In his internet blog, Senator Syvret has said that child abuse issues were never brought to the committee during the next six years while he was president, or during his two years as minister.

Senator Syvret said today that he did not remember the meeting, and claimed that the committee minutes were deliberately misleading.

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