From Ruth Nelson.
WITH reference to the lawsuit filed in an attempt to force the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, to appoint UK judges to hear cases in Jersey (JEP, 13 August), I would be glad of enlightenment for, simple country girl that I am (to paraphrase Helier Clement), I have always assumed this wonderful Island, home to our family for over 60 years, to be a democracy.

However, were this so, how would it be possible for just one member of our government to contact Austin Mitchell, a Labour MP, openly hostile to Jersey, apparently without a mandate from his fellow democratically elected States Members, over a local matter currently under investigation?

By what mandate was recourse to the UK Secretary of State for Justice undertaken, demanding the appointment of UK judges and lawyers for the implementation of the child abuse investigation?
Apart from potential damage to the Island – further to that already done – who will be required to meet the legal costs of this action?

In no way does the foregoing detract from deep concern for victims of child abuse – I am, in fact, a parent, grandparent and great-grandparent – but my understanding was that investigation into these allegations continues under Lenny Harper’s successor in the police service. If this takes time, better, surely, that it should be thorough?

I see that our other ‘interventionist’, Esther Rantzen, is due to appear in a television series entitled ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’. How very appropriate.

16 Maison Belleville, Wellington Road,
St Saviour.