Jersey care inquiry: States departments and Law Officers "hampering" inquiry

Frances Oldham QC said the inquiry had been "hampered" by States and Law Officers' Departments

The judge investigating historical allegations of child abuse in Jersey's care system said States and Law Officers were "hampering" the inquiry.

Frances Oldham QC said there had been "late and non-disclosure of important documents" by various departments.

The inquiry chairwoman explained the lack of key paperwork meant some witnesses may need to be recalled.

Chief Minister Ian Mr Gorst set a deadline of December 2016 for the inquiry to conclude its investigations.

Mrs Oldham said the inquiry, which began in July 2014, had been "hampered" by the failure to make various important documents available.

"These include HR records, disciplinary and other investigations, policies, procedures, reports, and emails which have either failed to be disclosed or have been disclosed after the relevant witness has given evidence.

"Over the coming weeks the inquiry will review the recent disclosures - some as recent as yesterday - and any documents which are forthcoming, and will consider whether witnesses need to be recalled as a result."

The inquiry chairman added that a final date would be set for specific disclosure requests that had been "outstanding for a number of months" to be provided.

She continued: "Failure to provide documents at this stage of the public inquiry may lead to adverse inferences being drawn by the inquiry in its final report."