Jersey Police Chief Suspended

Jersey's Chief of Police has been suspended after a team investigating alleged child abuse at a care home found previously released evidence had been inaccurate.

The island's Prime Minister relieved Graham Power of his duties after a new team investigating the possible child murders at the Haut de la Garenne revealed they no longer believe anyone was murdered at the former children's home.

Chief Officer Graham Power "strenuously" denies any wrongdoing, and said he would "rigorously contest any allegations".

Deputy Chief Officer David Warcup, the new police chief in charge of the probe, criticised operations and ruled out murder.

He also said Jersey's former Deputy Chief Officer Lenny Harper, was wrong to suggest youngsters may have been murdered at the home, which closed in 1986.

Mr Warcup said: "There is no suggestion there has been murder or any bodies destroyed. It is very unfortunate and I have much regret that information has been given by police that was not strictly accurate."

He also expressed "much regret" at "misleading" information that Lenny Harper, his predecessor, had released. This included claims that a fragment found was thought to be skull. However, experts from the British Museum turned out to be a piece of Victorian coconut shell.

Also, milk teeth found in the cellars had come out naturally, and not as a result of torture as Mr Harper had suggested.

"Shackles" and restraints which were found in Haut de la Garenne were described as "rusty" pieces of metal, while a blood-stained bath had not been used since the 1920s, Mr Harper said. Bones discovered at were also dated "from 1470 to 1670".

Detective Superintendent Michael Gradwell said that the inquiry into more than 100 allegations of child abuse at the home would continue.

He said: "The purpose of today is to say there is a child abuse inquiry but in terms of Haut de la Garenne, there was no murder."

Jersey Police launched the investigation into the Haut de la Garenne site in 2006 - which had in recent years been a youth hostel - following dozens of people alleged abuse at the home between the early 1960s and 1986.

(JM)