Minister: "It's time we had some answers"

Monday 11 December 2017

Pressure is mounting to hold a public inquiry into the fallout between the RNLI and former St Helier crew.

Politicians have voiced their support for a review into the on-going dispute involving former RNLI St Helier coxswain Andy Hibbs - leading the Environment Minister to agree, "...to do everything in my power to make that happen."

The island has been left without its only all-weather lifeboat after the RNLI decided to close the St Helier station last month, following a major breakdown in relations with its crew.

Video: RNLI removing Jersey's only all-weather lifeboat in November.

 It happened days after the crew announced its plans to go independent over the charity's treatment of coxswain Andy Hibbs, who was sacked over alleged misconduct earlier this year, before being reinstated.

The former St Helier crew have called for a public inquiry into the RNLI's actions.

Answering a question in the States today the Environment Minister, Deputy Steve Luce said: "...I’d like to see more evidence before I move forward. But I will take the sentiments of the Assembly on board and see what I can do.”

But pressure from a number of backbenchers, including Deputy Tracey Vallois told the minister, "...our responsibility as a States Assembly, or your responsibility as a government in terms of holding Ports of Jersey to account to ensure appropriate conduct. I think openness and transparency in that matter is absolutely vital, so would the Minister ensure that any review, anything that happens with regards to holding to account the Ports of Jersey is done in an open and transparent manner, so everybody can see exactly the facts of what's happened in this case, and everyone can have light of all sides of the story.”

Pictured: St Helier coxswain Andy Hibbs in June when he was re-instated by RNLI. 

Deputy Judy Martin also pushed for a public inquiry saying, "... if this would have been any other emergency service – the police, the fire or the ambulance - and they had a dispute, and we, or the States under a ministery, had gone out and asked for new volunteers what would that look like, and what does it look like? Does the Minister not agree?"

Deputy Sam Mézec suggested there is an appetite for a public inquiry and asked the Minister when he last spoke to the former St Helier crew about the evidence (Deputy Luce) felt he needed.

Deputy Luce admitted his last meeting with Andy Hibbs was, "...two or three weeks ago. I did say to him that I wasn’t sure the best way forward now was a public inquiry, I am quite happy to take the message from the Deputy that I will contact the ex-crew and ex-coxswain again, and ask them again if there’s any evidence they can provide which I can use - and if that’s not possible I will continue to pursue the direction of travel with regards to the public inquiry."

During today's States meeting, it was revealed that the cost total to date for Jersey's Fire and Rescue service to train on the St Helier inshore lifeboat to get it back in service this month was £7,808. 

The cost to 'backfill' within the Fire Service, as well as RNLI training and medical costs, have come to £31,987 - which Home Affairs Minister Kristina Moore said was being funded by the RNLI.