Comments
Digital copy of the Witness Statement of Michael Higgins to the Inquiry providing an account of his experiences as Deputy of St Helier District 3 and 4. [Some details redacted].
| Reference | ZC/D/AW4/B2/23/WS000688 |
| Date | 8 December 2015 |
| Scope and Content | Provides background information including an overview of his career in Jersey as a lecturer in Economics, Law and Banking at Highlands College and in legal and policy areas at the Jersey Financial Services Commission prior to his election to the position of Deputy of St Helier District 3 and 4 in December 2008 and subsequent re-election in 2011 and 2014. Describes his motivation for entering politics and sets out details of his role and remit as a Deputy. Includes comments about the historic child abuse investigation (Operation Rectangle). Refers to an in camera debate in the States Assembly on 2 December 2008 concerning the suspension of Graham Power by the Minister for Home Affairs Andrew Lewis. Describes lodging a proposition to release the in camera debate transcript on 23 May 2012, and includes comments about the debate concerning his proposition on 26 June 2012. Includes comments about political opposition and views on politicians. Comments on the issue of assisting the public in his position as a Deputy, including a discussion about the family of an individual who had experienced difficulties with the care system in Jersey and who has sought and received his help over an extended period of time. Describes obstructions faced when dealing with Health and Social Services and related bodies during his attempts to get help for the family. Also comments on two other specific cases in which he been involved during his time as a Deputy. Comments on matters including data protection, including remarks about Emma Martins. Also discusses the issue of the abuse of political influence, citing examples including: the removal of Senator Syvret as Minister for Health and Social Services, the secret trial of Stuart Syvret, inappropriate bankruptcy proceedings, and Roy Boschat. Also comments on his experience of the Jersey Way in relation to obstruction and secrecy by the States of Jersey. Also describes the personal impact of standing up to certain issues. Describes his understanding of external reports and their implementation, referring to the Kathie Bull and Williamson reports, relating to matters associated with Children's Services. Finishes with closing comments and outlines recommendations to the Inquiry in terms of lessons to be learned within the childcare system in Jersey. |
| Names | Bailhache, Sir Philip Bailhache, William Beith, Lord Alan Birt, Michael Boschat, Roy Bull, Kathie, Dr Coverley, Carolyn, Dr Crowcroft, Simon, Constable of St Helier Davenport, Richard Dennett, Phil Egré, Colin, Deputy Faudemer, Barry Faulks, Lord Edward Ferguson, Sarah, Senator Fossey, Alison Green, Andrew, Deputy Gull, Stewart Harper, Lenny Henry, Lenny Higgins, Michael Hill, Bob, Deputy Johnston, Glenys Jouault, Richard Le Claire, Paul, Deputy Le Marquand, Ian, Senator Le Sueur, Terry, Senator Lewis, Andrew, Deputy Lundy, Mario Maclean, Alan, Senator Martin, Judy, Deputy Martins, Emma McGovern, Catherine Napier, Brian, QC Ogley, Bill Paxman, Jeremy Perchard, Jim, Senator Pitman, Mrs Pitman, Trevor, Deputy Pollard, Mike Pontin, Sean Power, Graham Pryke, Anne Enid, Deputy Pryke, Roger Rondel, Richard, Deputy Shenton, Ben, Senator Smith, Mike Sorda, Rico Stroyen, Rachel Syvret, Stuart, Senator Trott, Rosemary Walker, Frank Warcup, David Watson, Paul Williamson, Andrew Wimberley, Daniel, Deputy Chief Minister's Department Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Children's Services Council of Ministers Economic Development Department Education Committee Hansard Haut de la Garenne Health and Social Services Heathfield Children's Home Highlands College Historic Abuse Redress Scheme Home Affairs Honorary Police House of Commons Independent Joint Safeguarding Panel Jersey Evening Post Jersey Family Court Advisory Service Jersey Financial Services Commission Jersey General Hospital Jersey Telecom John Radcliffe Hospital Jersey Family Court Advisory Service Jersey International Air Display La Préférence Children's Home Lavelle Coleman Solicitors Law Officers' Department Magistrate's Court Metropolitan Police Service Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub Office of the Data Protection Commissioner Operation Rectangle Probation Service Property Holdings States Greffe States of Jersey States of Jersey Police Victoria College Victoria College Board of Governors Voice for Children (Blog) Wiltshire Police |
| Keywords | abuse | allegations | assault | blogs | child abuse | child protection | children's homes | Children | children's services | complaints | data protection | debates | deputies | evidence | finances | IJCI | inquiries | interviews | investigations | Jersey Way | ministers | neglect | physical abuse | Police | Politics | propositions | prosecutions | reports | serious case reviews | sexual abuse | social workers | statements | suspensions | transcripts | trials | witness statements | witnesses |
| Places | General Hospital, Haut de la Garenne, Heathfield, St Saviour, Heswall, Highlands, La Préférence, St Martin, Oxford, Poland, St Helier, St Saviour |
| Dimensions | 1 pdf file |
| Language | English |
| Level of description | File |
| Access restrictions | Closed for preservation - please consult digital copy |
Context:
Digital copy of the Witness Statement of Michael Higgins to the Inquiry providing an account of his experiences as Deputy of St Helier District 3 and 4. [Some details redacted].
ZC/D/AW4/B2/23/WS000688
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