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The Chief Minister is being pushed for answers on whether an independent review into the unlawful raids of premises allegedly connected to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich ever happened and whether the public will be able to see its findings.
Deputy Kristina Moore announced that she had commissioned the review shortly after it emerged in November that search warrants – used by police officers seconded to the Economic Crime and Confiscation Unit to raid two properties in April last year – were obtained unlawfully.
The issue surrounding the warrants resulted in Police Chief Robin Smith agreeing to apologise to two applicants – referred to throughout the ensuing legal proceedings as ‘XY’ and ‘A Limited’ – and pay damages to them using public funds.
At the time, Deputy Moore said the review would "ensure any lessons learned can be considered and implemented in the most expedient manner".
Pictured: Deputy Moore announced that she had commissioned an independent review shortly after it emerged that the search warrants were obtained unlawfully.
However, the government refused to provide further details about when the review would start, who would lead it and its terms of reference.
In January, when Commissioner Sir William Bailhache handed down a judgement – regarding the amount of legal bills the police would need to pay – a statement approved by Deputy Chief Minister Kirsten Morel and Treasury Minister Ian Gorst said measures had been put in place, "to ensure that such an operational error concerning the application for warrants does not happen again".
There was no suggestion in the statement that an independent review had been undertaken - instead, the statement said that "the Attorney General and the Chief of Police have reviewed the circumstances around how the operational error with the warrants arose".
Despite repeated questions from Express and the JEP, no clarification on what the new measures were has ever been provided.
Deputy Montfort Tadier recently emailed the Chief Minister, stressing that there is still a need for a "straight answer" on whether the "independent" review announced in November had started.
Pictured: Deputy Montfort Tadier is seeking answers regarding the independent review.
"As you know from your time in opposition, and on Scrutiny, it is important from the democratic process that we are able to test these statements and keep the government honest, all in the public interest," he wrote.
"Indeed, your own ministerial code speaks early on about the seven principles of public life, and these include accountability, openness and honesty."
He added: "I also note that in the nine months you have been Chief Minister, I do not think you have replied to any of the emails I have sent you. I hope you will reply to this one."
Express and the JEP contacted the Government for a response and were told: "The Chief Minister will reply to Deputy Tadier, and not via the pages of a newspaper".
However, Deputy Tadier confirmed he had still not received a reply as of yesterday afternoon – more than a week after he sent the email.
He has now lodged a written question to the Chief Minister asking "whether such a review has been completed, and if not, whether it has been started" as well as who is leading it and whether the findings will be made public.
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