New inquiry into child abuse at Haut de la Garenne home in Jersey
Allegations that Jimmy Savile abused girls at a Jersey children?s home and that the island?s politicians interfered in police child abuse investigations will be examined by new inquiry.
The focus of the inquiry will be the notorious Haut de la Garenne children?s home, where Savile was a visitor.
The home was the subject of a police investigation started in 2007 but Graham Power, then the chief officer, was suspended after he complained of political interference.
Lenny Harper, the deputy chief officer who headed the abuse investigation, said last month that he had ?no reason to doubt? that Savile was among the visiting dignitaries who abused children at Haut de la Garenne.
He said Savile?s name came up during the investigation but there was not enough evidence to question him.
A number of former residents of Haut de la Garenne have already given lawyers accounts of abuse at the hands of the television star who is also linked to sexual abuse at a reform home for girls in Surrey, at several hospitals and on BBC premises.
The Jim?ll Fix It and Top of the Pops presenter took legal action against The Sun newspaper when it reported his link to Haut de la Garenne.
Jersey police took statements from from 192 victims, identifying 151 alleged abusers, during their three-year investigation.
Seven people were convicted of sex abuse, receiving jail sentences of up to 15 years, and police gathered evidence against 30 more who died before they could face trial.
The island?s government announced in March that it was setting up a compensation fund for victims of child abuse at children?s homes between 1945 and 1994. Lawyers believe that at least 70 people are entitled to payouts of up to £60,000 each.
Plans for a £6 million inquiry into child abuse from the end of the German occupation in 1945 until the present time were presented to the island?s parliament today.
The independent inquiry will questions victims and staff members of the island?s children homes and fostering service and examine how government departments dealt with concerns about abuse.
It will also examine files submitted by the police for possible consideration to see if cases were dealt with impartially and were free from political influence.
Ian Gorst, the island?s Chief Minister, said: ?We believe the inquiry we are proposing will provide a trusted forum where witnesses can share their experiences. It is where a healing process can begin and through which we can develop a shared understanding of the lessons which need to be learnt from our past.?
Inquiries have already been set up by the BBC, the Department of Health, several hospitals, the Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty?s Inspectorate of Constabulary.
Meanwhile, the charity set up by Savile which was due to receive the bulk of the £4.2 million left in his will is seeking legal advice after the payments were frozen because the his victims plan to make claims for compensation.
The trustees of the Jimmy Savile Charitable Trust, who include Gabrielle Greenbury, wife of the former Marks & Spencer chairman Sir Richard Greenbury, said they were ?saddened? that payments from the star?s estate had been frozen.
The Trust has announced that it is winding up its operations because of the sex-abuse scandal and will give the money to other charities.
?[Freezing the estate] will delay the distribution to charities and good causes,? said the Trustees in a statement. ?Any claims brought against the estate could clearly reduce the amount of money available for charity. The trustees will be seeking legal advice as to how best to protect the charity?s funds.?
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