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How much damage has Mr Harper done?
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From Ian Wilson.
I WRITE with reference to the recent UK media exposure of Lenny Harper who has, in my opinion, been shown to hold back facts of a major investigation in order to save face.
I, like many others, was horrified to hear Mr Harper’s press statements at the beginning, which started with suggestions of a dead child’s body, and then went on to a skull. This then changed to a piece of bone and has now ended up as possibly a piece of coconut, and what annoys many is that it needed journalists to expose the truth six weeks after Mr Harper knew the truth himself.
What I also find peculiar is the explanation for withholding this information, which is that he did not want the media to lose sight of the case. But what kind of policing is this if not spin? Did he really believe he could use journalists to keep the dead child story going without being found out?
Mr Harper is due to retire in the autumn, and I just wonder how much damage he has done to the Island during his career in Jersey. Over the past four years alone we have seen him suspend umpteen police officers and civil servants for committing alleged crimes. But when the final evidence has been presented to the Attorney General, most have been thrown out.
To add insult to these bungled investigations (and, may I add, complete waste of taxpayers’ money), we have now witnessed his manipulation of the world media. This is again without taking into account the full facts and any irreparable damage to the Island’s image should the suggestions be proven wrong.
The recent reports are that the pieces of bone found are only millimetres in length. What this will conclude is anybody’s guess. Nobody doubts that child abuse happened at Haut de la Garenne and I hope that the victims either get justice or solace when this dreadful case is concluded. But what is now an unfortunate factor of this case is that it has been shown that it is actually possible for a high-ranking police officer to add a totally new twist to a case.
I therefore believe that Mr Harper’s decision to withhold the truth for six weeks should be investigated. And I would also like to know how much damage this man’s sensational media statements have done to the Island’s worldwide reputation so far.
23 Havre des Pas,
St Helier.
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