Liberation Day speech criticised

The Chief Minister criticised media coverage of Jersey

The Liberation day speech by Jersey's chief minister has been criticised in a letter to all States' members.

In his speech Senator Frank Walker attacked the way an investigation into allegations of historical child abuse has been reported in the press.

But Deputy Gerard Baudins has written to say he was appalled by the speech and considered interrupting it because it had nothing to do with Liberation.

The Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache made a similar speech in Liberation Square.

He called some of the reporting an "unjustified and remorseless denigration" of Jersey.

He said Liberation Day was a chance to shake free of misinformation.

Police are probing claims dating back to the 1960s at Haut de la Garenne, after allegations by former residents.

READ THE SPEECH IN FULL The bailiff's Liberation Day speech [14KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

Both the bailiff and the chief minsiter argued that the real scandal was what had been written and said about Jersey since the investigation at the former children's home was made public.

In his speech to mark the anniversary of the anniversary of Jersey's liberation from German occupation in 1945, Sir Philip said: "This year we have learnt that even in peacetime, once a media bandwagon starts rolling, it is difficult to distinguish what is true from what is fictitious."

He said a "rigorous investigation" was taking place and a "balanced judgement" would be possible in due course.

In 2006, officers began covertly investigating claims of sexual and physical abuse of children at the former Haut de la Garenne children's home.

The investigation was stepped up in February after police found the partial remains of a child's skull buried in concrete in a stairwell.

During the excavation of four underground rooms, police have found a number of items including shackles and a bath which they say corroborate claims from victims.