Minister calls for abuse inquiry

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Jersey's chief minister is to call for a full public inquiry into the issues surrounding child abuse allegations at a former children's home on the island.

Senator Frank Walker will ask the Council of Ministers to take the idea to the States of Jersey - an equivalent of the UK's parliament - on Thursday.

He said it was the only way to ensure complete transparency.

The call comes as forensic work goes on at Haut de la Garenne, the home where 100 people claim they were abused.

Unanswered questions

Senator Walker said once the criminal investigation was completed, questions about the way children have been looked after in the past might still need answering.

However, he said until the police investigation was completed, it would be unclear exactly what questions would need to be asked.

The scope and the people carrying out the proposed inquiry would be decided by all politicians.

His intentions were announced early after details were revealed on Senator Stuart Syvret's internet site.

'Punishment rooms'

Last month, a group of MPs, led by Labour's Austin Mitchell, urged the UK government to hold an independent inquiry.

Senator Frank Walker and the Council of Ministers have said Jersey police will get whatever they need to do the investigation and to complete any criminal proceedings.

Earlier this week, police discovered another two cellar rooms, described as punishment rooms by some victims.

Police also said tests on the remains found on the site were inconclusive, but they were placed there no earlier than 1920.

Investigators say there are more than 40 suspects in the inquiry.

Haut de la Garenne opened in 1867 and was converted into a youth hostel after it closed as a children's home in 1986.