Sunday 28 June 2009

Operation Blast mystery to unfold

By Ben Quérée

CHIEF Minister Terry Le Sueur faces questions on Tuesday about whether States chief executive Bill Ogley is the ‘second individual’ named as being behind Operation Blast.

The Order Paper for Tuesday’s States sitting includes five oral questions about the secret police dossiers on States Members – codenamed ‘Operation Blast’ – the existence of which was revealed last week.

A leaked memo from suspended Police chief Graham Power alleged that a conversation with former Chief Minister Frank Walker and a second individual had instigated the collection of files on all States Members.

Mr Walker denied the allegations, and the second individual threatened legal action against the JEP if their identity was published. But anything said during a States sitting is legally covered by parliamentary privilege – meaning it cannot be the basis of a defamation or libel action – so Members will be free to name the individual.

Chief Minister Terry Le Sueur, Home Affairs Minister Ian Le Marquand, Privileges and Procedures chairman Juliette Gallichan and Attorney General William Bailhache will all be asked questions on the files.

Article posted on 27th June, 2009 - 2.59pm

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