Deputy rejects file inquiry call

States members have been assured the files are secure

A Jersey politician says he is confident the matter of secret police files kept on States members will be properly investigated.

Home Affairs Minister Ian Le Marquand revealed last week police have held secret files - known as Operation Blast - on Assembly members since 2006.

Deputy Phil Rondel has proposed a Committee of Inquiry to look at why they were kept, and on whom they focus.

But Deputy Sean Power said politicians should not interfere in police matters.

Criminal search

The St Brelade deputy said he had confidence in the acting Chief of Police David Warcup, who could have discreetly shredded the files, but chose not to.

Mr Power said he would not support the proposition and had no interest in visiting the police headquarters to see his own file.

Mr Le Marquand was made aware of the existence of the files in April by the solicitor general.

The files contain a photograph, a criminal record search and information from local and UK police intelligence.