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Jersey chief confident on inquiry Jersey chief confident on inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
Jersey's attorney general has said he is confident the island's judicial system can deliver justice in alleged cases of historical child abuse. Jersey's attorney general says he is confident the island's judicial system can deliver justice in alleged cases of historical child abuse.
William Bailhache told the BBC that people on a small island were particularly aware of the need to investigate the claims properly. Some critics have voiced concerns about whether the island can deal with the scale and nature of the inquiry.
Doubts have been voiced that the island can deal with the scale and nature of the inquiry. But William Bailhache told the BBC that although the inquiry process could be a difficult and slow process, "it's more important that justice be done".
Police are investigating abuse claims dating from the early 1960s to 1986.Police are investigating abuse claims dating from the early 1960s to 1986.
There are currently more than 80 suspects in the inquiry, focused on the Haut de la Garenne former children's home, but just three people have been charged so far.
Mr Bailhache said people on a small island were particularly aware of the need to investigate the claims properly.
Delay concernDelay concern
There are currently more than 80 suspects in the inquiry, but just three people have been charged so far. "The delivery of justice is an objective process, and it's difficult sometimes for those who are caught up in the sort of process, to understand all the ramifications of how it works.
UK MP Austin Mitchell has called on the British government to intervene and take over prosecutions, because of the scale of the problem and its long history. "One can feel sorry for that, but it's more important that justice should be done."
Witnesses have expressed concern about delays in the process, but Mr Bailhache said it was more important justice was done. UK MP Austin Mitchell has called on the UK government to intervene and take over prosecutions, because of the scale of the problem and its long history.
Police on the island have said a murder inquiry may never take place, despite the discovery of remains of at least five children at the Haut de la Garenne former children's home. Witnesses have also expressed concern about delays in the process.
Valuable evidence Police on the island said on Thursday that a murder inquiry may never take place, despite the discovery of the remains of at least five children at Haut de la Garenne .
Deputy Chief Officer Lenny Harper, who is leading the investigation, said such an inquiry was unlikely because an exact date could not be put on the remains. 'Valuable evidence'
However, Mr Harper said a number of valuable pieces of evidence had been found which "substantially corroborate" accounts of abuse at the home. Deputy Chief Officer Lenny Harper, who is leading the investigation, said the possibility of an inquiry had been hampered because an exact date could not be put on the remains.
However, Mr Harper said a number of valuable pieces of evidence had been found which "substantially corroborate" accounts of abuse at the home and he also stressed no final decisions on the inquiry had been made.
Jersey Police started an exploratory search of the home and made their first significant discovery on 23 February, finding what they believed to be a skull fragment.Jersey Police started an exploratory search of the home and made their first significant discovery on 23 February, finding what they believed to be a skull fragment.
It came two years after the start of a covert investigation into abuse following allegations by former residents.It came two years after the start of a covert investigation into abuse following allegations by former residents.