Jersey church abuse inquiry terms of reference revealed

The Very Reverend Robert Key was reinstated in April following an apology for his actions

The Diocese of Winchester has published details of how its investigation into the way Jersey's Dean dealt with an abuse complaint will be carried out.

Dame Heather Steel, who was appointed to lead the investigation in May, will visit the island and make an appeal for fresh evidence.

A review of Dean Robert Key's handling of the complaint led to his suspension by the diocese.

He was reinstated the following month after making an apology.

The findings of Dame Heather's inquiry will be fed into another, wider review into safeguarding policies being undertaken by Bishop John Gladwin.

This will examine the way the diocese protects members of its congregation.

Both have been commissioned by the Right Reverend Tim Dakin, the Bishop of Winchester.

Dame Heather's investigation will be based on the March review - the Korris report.

Bishop Dakin said the Church needed to be a "safe haven for the vulnerable"

Any islander with useful information will be asked to contact her.

At the end of the inquiry, the judge will write a final dossier for the Diocese, report any relevant findings and recommend any action which should be taken by the Bishop.

He will then provide copies of the report to Bishop Gladwin, the Bailiff of Jersey, Dean Key and the Ministry of Justice - along with "anyone against whom disciplinary action is recommended".

The original complaint was made in 2008 by a 26-year-old woman known as HG.

She described herself as having been diagnosed with autism.

According to the Korris report's findings, she alleged a church warden known as EY had abused her.

Dean Key, it said, invited her to discuss the matter at his office.

It was then 45 days before the complaint came to the attention of the Right Reverend Michael Scott-Joynt, who was then Bishop of Winchester.

The States of Jersey Police and Hampshire Constabulary investigated the allegations in 2008 but found there was insufficient evidence to proceed.