Jersey abuse inquiry a 'shambles'

Press Association

The £4.5 million Jersey child abuse inquiry has been branded a "shambles" as a police chief was suspended for his role in a discredited murder investigation.

Graham Power, the most senior officer in the force, was suspended after Deputy Chief Officer David Warcup rubbished evidence collected and said there were no suspicious deaths at former children's home Haut de la Garenne.

"There is no suggestion there has been murder or any bodies destroyed," said Mr Warcup, in his first press conference since taking control of the inquiry.

The comments sparked a political row on the island, with Deputy Andrew Lewis, the home affairs minister, attacking officers' conduct as he confirmed Mr Power was suspended. Announcing an independent investigation would be launched, he said: "It is evident that we didn't receive all the information about the historic abuse inquiry that we should have received, and that some aspects of this critically important police investigation have not been conducted properly."

Both Mr Power and his former deputy Lenny Harper denied any wrongdoing throughout their investigation. Mr Power marched into BBC Radio Jersey's studios to deny any wrongdoing. He said: "I strenuously deny any wrongdoing and will rigorously contest any allegations in respect of my role."

Mr Harper, who led the investigation until his retirement in August, was left "stunned" by some of the comments.

Chief Minister Frank Walker revealed more than £1.5 million was "unnecessarily" spent on digging up the site as he spoke of his concern about the damage the scandal had done to the island's reputation.

Mr Walker, who said the total cost of the investigation stood at £4.5 million, added: "I am disappointed to learn that the investigation has not been undertaken in the manner in which it should have been. It would appear there have been certain sums of money that did not need to have been spent."

In a dramatic U-turn, Detective Superintendent Michael Gradwell, the man who is now leading the investigation, categorically dismissed many of the findings of Mr Harper's investigation.

Police revealed that remains found at the former home were almost all animal bones, and that only three were "possibly human", which dated from between 1470 and 1670. The new investigation team also said there was "nothing suspicious" about items found in cellars beneath the building, which included 65 milk teeth.