Independence of historical abuse inquiry could be undermined, warns politician

Independence of historical abuse inquiry could be undermined, warns politician

This week, following news that the director of Children’s Services, Phil Dennett, was leaving his role, the Health Department announced that the director of Community and Social Services, Richard Jouault, would help collate evidence for the inquiry on behalf of the Chief Minister’s Department.

Richard Jouault is one of two senior civil servants from the Health Department who has been drafted in to assist with the inquiry

The department also said that he would be joined by policy development, governance and quality assurance manager for Children’s Services, Tony Le Sueur.

However, Deputy Le Hérissier believes that the States should not be involved with the inquiry while it is ongoing.

He says that as the Social Services and Children’s Services departments are likely to feature in the panel’s report, it is concerning that Mr Jouault and Mr Le Sueur have been moved to help the inquiry.

Deputy Le Hérissier said: ‘Given that Social Services is one of the main bodies under scrutiny it seems very odd that two key players have been moved to the Chief Minister’s Department to support the inquiry.

Deputy Roy Le Hérissier has raised fears that the independence of the historical abuse inquiry could be undermined

Full report in Monday’s JEP

Read more:

Children’s homes were ‘Dickensian’, inquiry told

Victims urged to speak out on abuse

Victims ‘didn’t trust support services’

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