Bailiff faces no confidence vote

Sir Philip could be dismissed from office by the Queen

States members will debate whether to bring a vote of no confidence against Jersey's Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache on 15 July.

The move follows his speech on Liberation Day when he criticised reporting of the inquiry into historic child abuse in Jersey.

Deputy Shona Pitman believes Sir Philip "brought his position into disrepute" by politicising his role.

The motion could see the Queen being asked to dismiss him from office.

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

The bailiff, who is appointed by the Crown, is president of the States Assembly and its Speaker, but he has no political power.

More than 100 people have come forward saying they were victims of abuse at Jersey's Haut de la Garenne children's home in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Three people have so far been charged in connection with the police's inquiry into historic sexual abuse of children in the island.

In his speech to mark 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.