Police files? Much ado about nothing, say Deputies
Saturday 20th June 2009, 2:57PM BST.
Deputy Bob Hill
TWO States Members who have been to see their Operation Blast files say that the whole thing is ‘a lot of fuss over nothing’.
Deputies Bob Hill and Kevin Lewis have both been to police headquarters to see their files, and both say that the matter has been blown out of proportion.
The States were told on Tuesday that files had been kept on States Members from February 2006 to November 2008, and at the time many Members expressed their shock and serious concern that the police were holding files outside the remit of a specific investigation.
Deputy Hill went to see acting police chief David Warcup on Thursday, taking up an open invitation to discuss the Operation Blast files. He said: ‘There are photographs and details from the States website about where you live, your telephone number and your criminal record. I did not see a file. It is a bit of a damp squib,’ said Deputy Hill. ‘I’m still no wiser than I was when I went in, other than the fact that he has confirmed to me that I do not have a criminal record.’
Deputy Lewis spoke to Mr Warcup yesterday. He said: ‘It’s a lot of fuss over nothing. I phoned up and made an appointment with David Warcup and we had a chat. It is not so much “files” as “a file – singular”.
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It just goes to prove Ian Le Marquand has been making a mountain out of a mole hill…..he should have engaged his brain before he opened his mouth. The whole fiasco makes the Island look like an banana republic and the Home Affairs Minister is at the root of the problem.
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There is no smoke without fire!
I, for one, am not convinced.
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Headless chickens over a personal file but a senior politician having a police visit is nothing to worry about? You’re have to laugh aren’t you?
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1 ZBD: I cannot support your critism of Senator Le Marquand,he is right to raise this matter regardless of how inoffensive certain Deputies have found the content of these files (Or file). The mere fact that there is no official explanation as to why they exist or who authorised them,and more importantly what their intended use was that it necessitated their existance to be so secretive is a)sinister and b)grounds for the pursuit of an enquiry to establish these facts.
At the very least it would be important to establish just how much public money was wasted gathering the information for “no specific purpose”. At worst it would expose the person who considers it important to hold secretive information on people in public office,and more importantly that person’s motive(s).
I think I have made the point elsewhere that States members should establish a formal and transparent system for vetting the suitability of persons standing for public service,and that this should not be so complex or bigoted it disenfranchises people who may have demonstrably reformed their lives after an earlier lapse.The purpose should be to establish the prospective candidates status at the time of putting themselves forward as such, and the process should include an opportunity for that candidate to know the content of any file gathered and any ongoing information added to it, and give opportunity to formally challenge any inacurate content.Indeed prospective candidates should be informed as to exactly what information will be required prior to standing. I would suggest such files be kept in the safe keeping of the Home Affairs Minister’s department but that access should be controlled by a panel made up of States Member scrutineers/the current AG/the current HA Minister/and a senior representative of Special Branch and the subject of the file on an ongoing basis under the Freedom of Information Act.
Such a system not only protects the electorate from an unsuitable candidate attaining public office it also protects the candidate from unscrupulous rumour and conjecture once elected.
The important part of such a system is to ensure that only factors that make a candidate a current and dangerous threat to National Security,someone engaging in ongoing and proven criminal activity, a minor,or of medically acknowledged unsound mind would disbar them from public office.
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It is all very well saying it is a lot of fuss about nothing.
If the police had a file about me, I would want to know who ordered it, why they ordered it, what it contained, and what did they intend to do with it.
That files have been produced regarding States Members looks particularly scary in view of the arrest of Stuart Syvret.
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Unless I am misinterpreting the article, the two deputies only spoke to David Warcup but did not actually see the file/files for themselves.
What is to say that what they have been told about the contents of the files is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Why did they not insist on having a look-see?
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6. Diane – I’m with you on this one. I thought under the Data Protection Act that you could ask to see your files nowadays. On the other hand the JEP did report that some of the information was so sensitive that it would not be made available” to the States members – isn’t this a contradiction? The whole point surely is that you shuld have the right to correct any misinformation held about yourself?
It possibly wouldn’t be a bad idea that either at the time of nomination or once a candidate has won an election (and certainly prior to swearing in) that a police check be carried out but everyone should be aware of this fact and the information should be available to each candidate to check and contest if necessary. Just keep everything open and above board really. It’s the secrecy of this whole exercise that arounses suspicion.
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Nick(4), I totally agree that there should be total transparency, nevertheless Ian Le Marquand should have quietly referred the matter to the Bailiff or A.G. and held an internal inquiry before going public. How can the police now have confidence in his leadership, as the Minister with responsibility for policing in the island, now that he has attacked thier integrity? To repeat he should have engaged his brain before opening his mouth. Better he keep quiet and let people believe he is a fool, than open his mouth and let us confirm this belief.
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