Blast file exposed blackmail threat

Thursday 25th June 2009, 2:59PM BST.

Suspended police chief Graham Power

POLICE feared that an unnamed States Member was open to blackmail after Operation Blast inquiries revealed sensitive information from their past.

According to suspended Police chief Graham Power’s Operation Blast memo, information from sensitive contacts in the UK revealed ‘significant issues’ with a States Member.

The leaked memo stated: ‘[The issue] arose when a report of some kind concerning a States Member, caused suspicion that something was “not quite right.”

‘This led, by a series of events, to the then superintendent and head of operations, John Pearson, making discreet inquiries which included sensitive contacts in the UK.

‘These inquiries indicated that there appeared to be significant and previously unknown issues with the Member which could cause complications and possible compromise at a future date.

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