Jersey phonebook distribution halted after Bailiff name blunder

Jersey phonebook distribution halted after Bailiff name blunder

Islanders could be excused for looking twice at the new 2019/20 Jersey Directory, 6,000 of which have already reached Island homes and businesses, as on page eight it declares that the Bailiff is now the Rt Hon Earl John Fogarty.

Mr Fogarty, who has for many years claimed to be the Island’s true Bailiff, lives in a flat in St Helier.

Distribution of the directories has been halted, according to the Guernsey branch of the directory-specialists Yabsta, which took over printing of the directories from JT in June last year. Yabsta’s chief executive Gary Taylor described the issue as a ‘serious error’.

Mr Fogarty’s name now sits above that of the actual Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq in the directory and states he is the Island’s Bailiff and therefore Chief Justice and an appointee of the The Crown.

Mr Taylor’s full statement read: ‘Customers and the media have drawn our attention to a serious error in the Jersey Directory, as such we have now halted distribution until this has been fully investigated and next steps agreed.

‘Following an initial internal investigation, we now believe that the error was the result of what we believe was illegal misrepresentation made to our staff about the contact details of the Island’s Bailiff and this is a matter now being looked into by the relevant authorities.

‘We know that 10% – 6,000 of the 60,000 which are distributed in the Island – have reached households and organisations over the last few days.

‘We would like to reassure Islanders that mistakes of this sort are extremely rare given the stringent and careful checks which are in place on information provided to us. We would also like to apologise sincerely to the Jersey public for any inconvenience or confusion and, most importantly, to the Bailiff Sir William Bailhache, for any embarrassment this caused to him personally and as the holder of his office. We will be working with his office to discuss the matter.’

It is not clear whether Mr Fogarty – or a third party – is behind the submission to the directory.

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