Jersey’s police chief has apologised for describing a landmark inquiry into decades of child abuse as a “noose round the Island’s neck” – but ministers have insisted that they retain “full trust and confidence” in his leadership.
Police chief Robin Smith acknowledged that his words “could have been better chosen” after comments he made during a confidential meeting of senior government officials emerged in an explosive employment tribunal involving a former social worker who claims she was sacked for whistleblowing about child safeguarding concerns.
In a joint statement, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles said: “We do not endorse the language used during an internal meeting, and note that the chief of police has acknowledged that his words could have been better chosen.
“We continue to have full trust and confidence in his leadership of Jersey’s police force.”
The controversy centres on a covert recording of an accountable officers group meeting on 9 January 2025, attended by senior officials including Mr Smith and then-government chief executive Andrew McLaughlin.
During the meeting, Mr Smith referred to the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, saying it 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, stating: “We’ve punished ourselves enough.”
Mr McLaughlin also accused organisations of “dining out on what happened a decade ago” during a discussion about changing relationships with external agencies.
The Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, which published its findings in 2017, exposed decades of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation of children in Jersey’s care system.
It also found that those in positions of political and administrative authority frequently “cared more for the status quo and reputation than for the care of children”.
The comments have emerged during an unfair dismissal case brought by former government safeguarding partnership manager Alison Renouf against the States Employment Board.
Ms Renouf alleges that she was dismissed for whistleblowing about failures in the Island’s child safeguarding system, but the government maintains she was sacked for gross misconduct following a data breach.
The ongoing employment tribunal dispute centres on Ms Renouf’s decision to share the recording of the January 2025 meeting with children’s charities Family Nursing and Home Care and NSPCC Jersey.
‘I apologise for any concern or hurt’
In his statement, Mr Smith acknowledged that his comments may have caused distress, particularly to survivors of abuse.
“I recognise that comments attributed to me concerning the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry 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,” he said.
“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.”
He said his comments had been made during a wider discussion about how Jersey could learn from its history while moving forward.
“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.”
He added: “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.”
Mr Smith also stressed that he had not been criticising frontline staff or safeguarding partners.
“As is clear from the transcript, there was no criticism from me of our staff, partners or the agencies we work alongside. I have the utmost respect for them and the work they do.”
‘No involvement’ in whistleblower’s dismissal
The police chief also sought to distance himself and the States of Jersey Police from the employment dispute.
“Neither States of Jersey Police nor I are parties to these proceedings,” he said.
“Mrs Renouf was a Government of Jersey employee, not a States of Jersey Police employee.
“I had no line management responsibility for her and no involvement in the Government’s investigation, disciplinary process or decisions concerning her employment.”
He confirmed that police had received no criminal complaint concerning Ms Renouf and had not conducted a criminal investigation.
Mr Smith also said that neither he nor the police force were witnesses in the case and that, to his knowledge, neither had provided evidence to the tribunal.
He added that he had been unaware until earlier this week that the hearing had begun or that his comments were about to become public.
While emphasising his commitment to transparency, he defended the importance of confidential discussions between senior officials.
“Senior leaders must also be able to discuss difficult issues openly and honestly, with a reasonable expectation that confidential discussions will be respected,” he said.
“The circumstances in which this recording was shared are matters for the Tribunal.”
Ministers pledge commitment to safeguarding
In their joint statement, Senators Farnham and Miles insisted that protecting children and vulnerable people remained the government’s highest priority.
“We remain firmly committed to learning from the lessons of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry and to ensuring that those lessons continue to inform our approach to public service and accountability,” they said.
They also emphasised the importance of allowing employees to raise concerns about wrongdoing.
“We strongly support a culture of openness, transparency and constructive challenge. All Islanders must feel able to raise concerns and speak up when they believe issues require attention.”
They described robust whistleblowing arrangements as an essential safeguard within the government’s wider system of accountability and professional standards.
However, the ministers declined to comment on the allegations at the centre of Ms Renouf’s case.
“Given that proceedings remain ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the individual case or on the evidence being considered by the Tribunal.”
The employment tribunal is scheduled to resume on Thursday 12 November.
