Police chief apologises over care inquiry comments

Jersey's chief of police has apologised after he called an inquiry into decades of child abuse a "noose round the island's neck".

The comments by Robin Smith in January 2025 about the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry became public during an unfair dismissal claim brought by former social worker Alison Renouf.

In a statement, Smith said his comments during a meeting of senior officials "may have caused concern, particularly among those who experienced abuse and those who have worked tirelessly to ensure the lessons of the past are never forgotten".

Senior politicians said they still had "full trust and confidence" in Smith's leadership.

Smith's comments in a video transcript submitted to the tribunal and seen by BBC News said the care inquiry had been "like a noose round the island's neck where we constantly beat ourselves up about it".

He added that Jersey should "remove those shackles" and move forward, saying: "We've punished ourselves enough."

The Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, triggered by a series of allegations about Jersey's care system relating to decades of historical child abuse, neglect, and systemic failures, reported its finding in 2017.

The inquiry found cases of slavery, bullying and abuse of children and it said child protection arrangements needed fundamental improvement, issuing more than 600 recommendations covering safeguarding, social services, governance, complaints procedures and independent scrutiny.

Smith said in his statement: "I want to be clear that I fully recognise the significance of the care inquiry, the suffering of victims and survivors, and our responsibility to ensure its findings continue to inform how we protect children and vulnerable people.

"My comments were made during a much wider discussion between senior leaders.

"The point I was making was that, while we must never forget the past, we must also have the confidence to move forward and use those lessons to shape the future.

"There is an important difference between moving on from the lessons of the past and moving forward because of them.

"My comments were intended to encourage the latter.

"I readily accept that some of the words I used could have been better chosen, and I apologise for any concern or hurt they may have caused."

Renouf argues she was unfairly dismissed because she shared the recording as part of an effort to protect children.

The States Employment Board, representing the government, said the dismissal was fair because Renouf "breached her obligations of confidentiality".

In a joint statement, Senator Lyndon Farnham, Jersey's Chief Minister, and Senator Helen Miles, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, said they did not endorse the language used at the meeting but continued to have "full trust and confidence" in Smith's leadership.

They said safeguarding children and vulnerable people remained their highest priority.

According to court documents, the transcript of the discussion forms part of the tribunal evidence.

The Government of Jersey has previously appealed against a decision that would allow the recording to be played in the tribunal.

The tribunal has been adjourned until 12 November, when issues surrounding the admissibility of the recording are due to be considered further.

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