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Jersey 'cover-up faces exposure' Jersey 'cover-up faces exposure'
(about 2 hours later)
As Jersey police search a former children's home where a child's remains were found, an ex-minister says he plans to expose a "cover-up culture". An ex-minister on Jersey says he will expose a "cover-up culture" as searches continue at a former children's home on the island where remains were found.
Former health minister Stuart Syvret told BBC News he will show the Jersey authorities failed to act over other child abuse allegations. Police investigators at the Haut de la Garenne home in St Martin are focusing their attention on a bricked-up cellar.
The BBC's Sanchia Berg said these relate to a school and a secure unit. Former health minister Stuart Syvret told BBC News he will publish evidence to show the authorities failed to act on child abuse claims at another site.
Investigators at the Haut de la Garenne home are focusing their attention on a bricked-up cellar. A statement from Jersey's chief minister is also expected.
Senator Syvret's allegations have been vehemently denied by Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator Frank Walker, who has said it was "deplorable" that the ex-minister was seeking to "politicise" the situation. The BBC's Sanchia Berg said Mr Syvret's allegations will relate to a school and a secure unit on the island.
It is understood the police inquiry into allegations of historic abuse in Jersey pre-date these claims.
The senator's allegations that island authorities ignored evidence of abuse of children in its care have been vehemently denied by Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator Frank Walker, who is due to address the island's Assembly later.
He has described Mr Syvet's allegations as "deplorable" and said the ex-minister, who was dismissed from his post last year over the way he is alleged to have treated staff and colleagues in his ministry, was seeking to "politicise" the situation.
Special helplineSpecial helpline
The child's remains were detected by a sniffer dog at Haut de la Garenne on Saturday, and six more sites of interest have been identified there by the police. The remains of a child were detected by a sniffer dog at Haut de la Garenne on Saturday, and police have identified six more sites of interest have been identified near the former children's home.
Officers were alerted to the site during their investigation into child abuse allegations stemming from the time when the centre was a home for children with behaviour problems.
NSPCC HELPLINE Within Jersey: 0800 169 1173Outside: + 44 (0)20 7825 7489NSPCC HELPLINE Within Jersey: 0800 169 1173Outside: + 44 (0)20 7825 7489
The remains were detected by a sniffer dog through several inches of concrete. A special helpline set up by the NSPCC at the request of the police has received 63 calls from adults claiming to have been abused as children on the island.
Since then, a special helpline set up by the NSPCC at the request of the police has received 63 calls from adults claiming to have been abused as children on the island.
So far, 27 of those cases have been referred to the authorities for investigation.So far, 27 of those cases have been referred to the authorities for investigation.
Island's 'secrecy culture'Secrets of Jersey homeChildren's home 'like prison'Island's 'secrecy culture'Secrets of Jersey homeChildren's home 'like prison'
Jersey's deputy police chief, Lenny Harper, has said officers are investigating why so many complaints were not dealt with in the past.Jersey's deputy police chief, Lenny Harper, has said officers are investigating why so many complaints were not dealt with in the past.
Mr Harper said: "Part of the inquiry will be the fact that a lot of the victims tried to report their assaults but for some reason or another they were not dealt with as they should be.Mr Harper said: "Part of the inquiry will be the fact that a lot of the victims tried to report their assaults but for some reason or another they were not dealt with as they should be.
"We are looking at allegations that a number of agencies didn't deal with things as perhaps they should.""We are looking at allegations that a number of agencies didn't deal with things as perhaps they should."
He said archaeologists and forensic scientists were concentrating on a number of "trenches" at the site where the remains, which include a skull, were found. He said that so far his officers had uncovered "no evidence of a cover-up of any Jersey government".
Mr Harper said archaeologists and forensic scientists were concentrating on a number of "trenches" at the site where the remains, which include a skull, were found.
Worldwide leadsWorldwide leads
The information that sparked the excavation had been provided by three sources, he confirmed.The information that sparked the excavation had been provided by three sources, he confirmed.
Jersey Police began investigating allegations of abuse in 2006.Jersey Police began investigating allegations of abuse in 2006.
Police have identified dozens of possible suspects in connection with the wider inquiry, with detectives following up leads in Europe and as far away as Australia.Police have identified dozens of possible suspects in connection with the wider inquiry, with detectives following up leads in Europe and as far away as Australia.
The investigation involves several government institutions and organisations, with the Haut de la Garenne home and Jersey Sea Cadets the main focuses of the inquiry.The investigation involves several government institutions and organisations, with the Haut de la Garenne home and Jersey Sea Cadets the main focuses of the inquiry.
Jersey Police began investigating allegations of abuse in 2006.Jersey Police began investigating allegations of abuse in 2006.
It is centred on the abuse of boys and girls aged between 11 and 15, since the 1960s.It is centred on the abuse of boys and girls aged between 11 and 15, since the 1960s.
The excavation of the home, involving sniffer dogs and ground radar, started on Tuesday.The excavation of the home, involving sniffer dogs and ground radar, started on Tuesday.
Police are using two springer spaniels - seven-year-old Eddie, who specialises in detecting human remains and was involved in the hunt for missing Madeleine McCann in Portugal; and Keela, three, who is trained to sniff out traces of blood.Police are using two springer spaniels - seven-year-old Eddie, who specialises in detecting human remains and was involved in the hunt for missing Madeleine McCann in Portugal; and Keela, three, who is trained to sniff out traces of blood.
Haut de la Garenne started life in 1867 as the Industrial School, for "young people of the lower classes of society and neglected children".Haut de la Garenne started life in 1867 as the Industrial School, for "young people of the lower classes of society and neglected children".
It is now Jersey's Youth Hostel and featured as a police station in the TV series Bergerac, which was set on the island.It is now Jersey's Youth Hostel and featured as a police station in the TV series Bergerac, which was set on the island.
Police say it is vital that any alleged victims still unidentified contact the incident room as soon as possible, on 0800 735 7777. There is also an NSPCC helpline on 0800 169 1173 within Jersey, or + 44(0)20 7825 7489 from outside.Police say it is vital that any alleged victims still unidentified contact the incident room as soon as possible, on 0800 735 7777. There is also an NSPCC helpline on 0800 169 1173 within Jersey, or + 44(0)20 7825 7489 from outside.
Have you been affected by this story? If you have any comments you would like to share, please send them using the form below.Have you been affected by this story? If you have any comments you would like to share, please send them using the form below.
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