The land re-zoning investigation that wasn’t to the roaring police silence on Jimmy Savile in Jersey. Is the common denominator ministerial and judicial interference? + September 28th – at last it’s now officially Jersey’s ‘Reform Day’! All this and a whole lot more from the island that democracy forgot…

In my last BTR before the promised extended ‘Jersey justice – not fit for purpose’  ‘special’ for once I’m going to start with a bit of self-congratulation. What am I talking about? Well September 28th 1769 of course and the events that were just about as close as Jersey has come to its own mini-revolution of democratic reform - yet…

The bravery of Tom Gruchy and several hundred other ordinary Islanders nearly two and a half centuries ago led to Jersey’s corrupt Royal Court losing its legislative powers; the island’s laws being written down for the first time in history within the Code of 1771; and even the beginnings of modern elections and set terms of Office. Yet both of the Chief Ministers didn’t think it important enough to warrant recognition! 

Could you hear such ignorant nonsense spouted in any other democratic parliament in the world outside of Jersey? Probably not - but fortunately for once the Shepherds of 21st Century feudalism just couldn’t round up enough sheep to keep this history buried. So a big ‘Thank you’ to all of the Members who supported me in the vote and to the Constable of Trinity for his pledge to help locate Tom Gruchy’s unmarked grave. Not to mention Mr. Mike Dun for both his research and his natty line in 18th day wear…

The Judiciary – aren’t they supposed to be all about ensuring justice? OK – so a silly question in Jersey as I now know from firsthand experience. After all, where else could someone sit for 14 years as a Jurat when an official inquiry had shown him to deliberately refuse to look at evidence against a horrific child abuser before then writing in support of the abuser himself? Nowhere that I can think of.

But more of that soon. For now we ask why wouldn’t an Attorney General want allegations of serious corruption relating to land re-zoning to be fully investigated? Not to mention ‘the’ question that the State Media are just too cowardly to confront: why would a Bailiff come to have a complaint about the aforesaid allegations that a politician had sent directly to the police?  

After all, my written question to the Home Affairs Minister this week confirmed that a Bailiff has no role whatsoever in on-going, operational police matters. So come on CTV, BBC, the JEP – stand up straight; chest out, shoulders back: what was our former Bailiff apparently doing with it in his possession? And under what powers did he summon a States Member to his office to demand she drop the complaint? If you haven’t got the TF to ask this one then you really shouldn’t be masquerading as ‘journalists’.

Then we have Finance. You don’t have to be a fraudulent Brazilian Mayor; a major gunrunner, drug dealer or even a hypocritical stand-up UK comic to know that aspects of Jersey’s key industry couldn’t pass the Senator Bailhache ‘sniff test’ even with a heavy head cold and a clothes-peg on your nose. 

So is everyone amongst the ever-increasing critics of the failings of the JFSC and co nothing more than an envious, embittered ‘enemy of Jersey’; a ‘wrecker’, a ‘traitor’ or even worse? Watch the video and find out. A more telling lesson as to how the Jersey Evening Pravda makes the message black or white according to the messenger you will be hard-pressed to find.

Jimmy Savile and the ever-spiralling number of victims coming forward about his stated reign of abuse. In the UK the Metropolitan Police are working overtime running a high-profile campaign to try and ensure that as many people with information as possible come forward. It’s in every newspaper. It’s on every news channel – TV and radio. Here in Jersey? Nothing but a deafening silence. The question surely has to be why. 

We know Savile came to Haut de la Garenne – there’s even a photo of him there on this blog. Don’t we owe it to every victim and just as importantly every potential victim of the same sort of circumstances to follow exactly the same kind of high-profile approach being undertaken in the UK? Shouldn’t we be asking who Savile knew and visited in Jersey? 

Or are we back to those embarrassing days of international ‘image’ being far more important? You might have thought that after the protect the ‘good name’ of the school before the interests of abuse victims scandal at Victoria College those at the top of government might just have learnt something.

And last but not least – well, very much last and least actually – the dark side of politics and Citizens’ media… 

Has your partner or loved one been furtively creating dozens of bogus Facebook accounts without coming up with any plausible explanation? Does he sometimes answer to other people’s names? Do they drink copious amounts of Stella and rarely wash, shave or change their clothes? Do they obsessively wipe their computer records with almost military-style fanaticism? Do you sometimes even stumble upon them dancing alone to scratched old Gary Glitter records in their underpants beneath a single, flickering light bulb? 

If so the last segment of BTR just might be of help to you…

Meanwhile - Keep the Faith. 

And if you haven’t done so already please sign the attached link to the e-petition to restore banned U.S. journalist Leah McGrath Goodman’s visa status to re-enter the island democracy forgot. Together we really can make a difference.

http://www.change.org/petitions/ukhomeoffice-restore-the-visa-of-banned-journalist-leah-mcgrath-goodman-freejersey

WEBSITE: www.thebaldtruthjersey.co.uk 

PLEMONT & COMPULSORY PURCHASE - FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD OR JUST THE FAVOURED WEAPON OF ‘BIG PHIL’ & THE RIGHT-WING BULLY STATE?

Plus… Jersey lawyers – they still want a profit even when you’re dead. How to achieve a 50% reduction in policing costs. And the complete betrayal of a local political Legend. It can only be the Bald Truth Review Episode 8! 

Sitting back in the production suite in the bowels of the BTR bunker yesterday (hidden away as it is deep within the mysterious Grands Vaux woods) to watch the rushes of the latest BTR the whole team was touched by the sense that this episode had a more sombre feel to it than usual. 

Was it just the understandable consequence of the report on how in Jersey it seems the vultures that proliferate in the local ‘legal profession’ still want old people’s money even when it essentially means wiping out their wills? (See the segment on ‘Will kits’) Perhaps that was a part of it. Yet all of us – even Sharrock the tea boy seemed to sense it now. For there it all was right in front of us: when you actually see it all reported in living colour there simply is something deeply wrong in the way so much of the Jersey ‘Establishment’ operates… 

Hi-jacked electoral commissions; top secret, behind-closed-doors ‘super-injunction’ using taxpayers’ money; Police Chief’s illegally suspended - not just for months but years; individuals allowed to sit as Jurats even though they are proven to have put protecting a ‘good name’ of a College before the bringing to book evil child abusing fellow teachers. All, of course, whilst the majority of the mainstream media happily collude with it all by ‘toeing the party line’ of twisting the true facts or keeping silent...

Then consider the current issue of Plemont and Senator Philip Bailhache’s apparent attitude that if he wants it then he’s going to have it! And if someone won’t give in during negotiations then that doesn’t matter either. Because the Senator will just blow off the cobwebs and wheel out the archaic old Compulsory Purchase ‘cannon’ and ride roughshod over democracy anyway. 

And to think: week in – week out we have to listen to the right-wingers in the States - and their Pravda mouthpiece journalists of course - spouting the propaganda that it is those pesky ‘Progressives’ who always want big, interventionist government! Laugh – you just have to or you would likely cry.

The bottom line on this particular issue is that I voted to save Plemont when it was last debated. Why? Because I know we need to start protecting what is left of our natural beauty before it is too late. Yet unlike so many of the Constables and country Deputies I also know that this view needs to apply equally – everywhere in the island. It can’t be allowed to go out of the window as soon as a Trinity borderline touches urban St. Helier. 

Yet whilst I will bet all my viewers a pint of their favourite tipple that come December 4th a whole shed-load of States Members suddenly change their minds in support of the purchase of Plemont – and for no demonstrable intellectual reason other than that Senator Philip Bailhache wants them to - the fact is that some things really do have to be considered afresh as having changed since last time we voted on this. Some things that really do mean that one has to start thinking about priorities...

We still have half-a-billion pounds in the so-called ‘Rainy Day’ fund yet our Council of Ministers remain quite happy to unnecessarily dish out hundreds of thousands of pounds for foreign offices for the Finance Industry in the same breath that they can’t even support a proper ‘living’ wage for those at the sharp end of the recession. 

Indeed, we see an attitude displayed by the Executive that continues to see the Public Sector bullied and played against that of the Private: a strategy that can do no good to anyone whatsoever. We’ve  seen much-needed frontline services being undermined; and even incredibly valuable learning initiatives for children – such as the one I tried to save at Durrell – abandoned because ‘we can’t afford them’.

Of course, it’s true that we do appear to now have a new Police Chief who has incredibly come up with a way to slash the cost of policing dramatically – though when you have watched the video I’m not sure it’s an approach you will want to support. Unless, perhaps, you’re a criminal, rogue-trader or ever-so-slightly dodgy politician…

The fact is that all too many within the Jersey Establishment have as little understanding of life’s realities for most ‘ordinary’ working people as they generally have about both political policy and economics. Perhaps even worse – all too many of them don’t even understand (or possibly even have?) any real values. Should we ideally save Plemont for future generations – of course we should. But that doesn’t mean to say ‘save it’ before all else. 

Put it like this. It’s a bit like a variant on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs; i.e. you don’t really worry about what paintings you would like to hang for decoration if you haven’t even got four walls and a roof above your head to begin with. Maybe that’s the way I should express the concern in the States? Then again you have to suspect that to all too many in the Council of Ministers Maslow would probably be thought to probably be the European fly-half Jersey ruby club are trying to sign!

Jersey I’m afraid is in dire danger of irretrievably losing its soul. Should you doubt this statement then just try watching my first story in BTR 8 about the disgraceful treatment of the memory of that late Legend of Jersey, ‘working class’ politics Mr. Emile Collins. This week the Constable of St. Helier should be hanging his head in shame…

But do ‘Keep the Faith’ regardless. The darkness can’t last for ever. And what better place to start than right here by clicking on the attached link below to sign the on-line petition to restore American journalist, Leah McGrath Goodman’s visa status allowing her to return to Jersey…

http://www.change.org/petitions/ukhomeoffice-restore-the-visa-of-banned-journalist-leah-mcgrath-goodman-freejersey

JERSEY ‘IS NOT A TAX HAVEN’ – BUT DRUG DEALERS, GUNRUNNERS & MAJOR BANKING FRAUDSTERS ARE ALL VERY, VERY WELCOME!

Yes, it’s another classic week in the comedy that is the Jersey Establishment in government…

 

HSBC - It’s a bank, isn’t it? The UK’s largest. In fact a top notch, diamond of the Big 500 type of a bank? But have you ever wondered what the letters might stand for? Well for those of us in Jersey after this week’s exposure in the Daily Telegraph latest bets go something like this. 

‘H’ is probably for ‘Hiding It’; ‘S’ must be for ‘Secrecy’; ‘B’ could be for ‘Blagging It’ too? As for the C - well if you were to ask me - I would have to ask if it could be for ‘Corruption’. Drug dealers; gunrunners; major banking fraudsters – didn’t Senator Philip Bailhache assure us he had a ‘sniff test’ all those opening ‘Off-Shore’ accounts had to pass? Makes you wonder if the Senator could actually smell a week old Kipper under the bed!  Never mind - back in the States Chamber a brand new comedy double-act promise to tell the wider world exactly what the Jersey Financial Industry is all about... 

But what else have I got for you in a BTR Episode 7 that could almost be called ‘what the papers say’? 

Well, there’s a justice related ‘leak of the week’ the implications of which should have you absolutely terrified – and for once we are not talking Jurats happy to put protecting ‘the good school name’ before preventing child abuse. There’s another brilliant example of what some might call ‘media opinion management’ and others might just call the Jersey Evening Pravda once again ‘telling it how it isn’t’. (But don’t sue, Montford – Jersey ‘Justice’ can be very bad for your health and your bank account!)

Then, in the very week when Deputy Geoff Southern’s been hammered for pointing out that actually ‘he’s worth it’ (a salary increase that is; not a Cheryl Cole hair care contract) we have another ‘backbencher’ quietly doing what a Minister should be doing himself – but probably won’t unless he gets a front-page headline out of it. Yes, that’s right - we’re talking an update on everyone’s least favourite exploiters of Ukrainian seafarers: Condor Ferries.

Last - but very definitely not least - I have a report on what happened when ‘Investigative Citizen Journalist’ Rico Sorda finally went head-to-head with the editors of the States Media in the long-awaited ‘Allegations without substance’ BBC Radio challenge. Would Rico get routed? Would BBC Jersey’s Gripton get a grilling? Would Chris Bright even turn up? 

Keep the Faith – and please click on the link below to sign the on line petition to get banned U.S. journalist Leah McGrath Goodman’s visa status to re-enter Jersey reinstated!

http://www.change.org/petitions/ukhomeoffice-restore-the-visa-of-banned-journalist-leah-mcgrath-goodman-freejersey

Bald Truth Website

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER. GUNPOWDER, TREASON AND…

Super-injunctions; banned U.S. journalist Leah McGrath Goodman visa update; Sadie sings about States Members’ pay and Ben the Tory gets shirty – it’s the Bald Truth Review Episode six!

The 28th of September 1769 was a date crucial to the beginnings of our still deeply flawed democracy. 

Yet 243 years from now the Bald Truth of the matter is that November 5th 2012 could be viewed as a date every bit as important. A day in fact when all of the efforts and personal risk of Thomas Gruchy and his companions goes down the proverbial pan quicker than an internet troll’s supper after 17 pints of Stella down the pub. 

I’m talking about ‘super-injunctions’ of course and Jersey’s steady slide into the type of justice system where even the notorious Roland Freisler would not look out of place. Find out more by watching the show…

States Members’ pay… 

Always guaranteed to make the front page in the local Pravda; and always guaranteed to see the said Establishment Party mouthpiece wheeling out some complete political non-entity desperate for some publicity to talk about it. Remember Ben ‘Ten’ Shenton a couple of years ago? This year it’s the lovely Constable of St. Saviour breaking her political vow of silence.

Should we be accepting a pay rise this year? No – we certainly shouldn’t. But the Bald Truth of the matter is shouldn’t even be discussing what a deliberately independent review panel put forward either. Forget Chief Minister Gorst’s PR stunt. ‘Just say no!’ as the old drugs advert used to say. Find out why…

Add in banned U.S. journalist Leah McGrath Goodman still awaiting the outcome of her Visa application to continue her investigation into the Jersey child abuse scandal. A suspected rebel within the ranks at Pravda sowing seeds of journalistic sedition? News of a forthcoming ‘Special’ on Jersey’s highly politicised judicial system…And yes – you have to concede: BTR Six really is even scarier than that ‘a Bitchin’ and a moanin’ Ben Quérée revealing his Establishment Party credentials in the twilight zone! 

Watch the video – and then if you haven’t done so already click on the link below to sign the petition to restore Leah McGrath Goodman’s visa status. After that – why not get on the phone to your local politician to complain about the blatant abuse of our Data Protection Law and the use of your money in the process. 

You might not get another chance…

http://www.change.org/petitions/ukhomeoffice-restore-the-visa-of-banned-journalist-leah-mcgrath-goodman-freejersey

SHOULD APOLOGISTS FOR PAEDOPHILES BE ALLOWED TO SIT AS JURATS? JIMMY SAVILE IN JERSEY – BUT WHO ‘ENABLED’ HIM? ANOTHER C.E.O APPOINTMENT FIASCO & SIR PHILIP’S LATEST STATES MELTDOWN… It can only be the Bald Truth Review episode 5

Such is the strong theme of contempt for fairness, justice and political transparency running  through this week’s ‘Bald Truth Review’ collection of news stories that I really was tempted to  re-title the show: The island that democracy forgot!’ But never mind – you might see that lovely little and most apt title appearing again somewhere else very soon. Meanwhile, even with three days worth of flu and hardly any sleep what exactly have I got for you this week? 

Well, how about a CEO ‘leak of the week’ that even makes a golden handshake of taxpayers money seem all right and ship-shape… I have some thoughts on what might actually underlie the latest Philip Bailhache meltdown in the States: yes, another attack on me this time for daring to ask about a Jurat system that is so lax in scrutiny even the despicable Jimmy Savile could likely have managed to become one! Shocking, yes I grant you – but sadly true.

More on this at a latter date but you do have to ask: why is the Senator seemingly so desperate to both distract from this deeply worrying flaw in our justice system  AND try to stick his nose into my quite separate recent court case? Really, you sometimes have to think 1769 never happened… 

And this incident also links nicely, of course, into the latest exposure of what a farce our alleged ‘separation of powers’ also is: Sir Philip’s kid brother, Judge William, sitting on his hands again count cobwebs and doing nothing as States ‘president’ – even though no fewer than three States Members rose to express their disgust and complain about the latest Sir Philip meltdown of bogus allegations aimed at me.

Throw in ‘super-injunctions’ striving to close down all but the State Media, and the fact that even convicted petty criminals can apparently be given YOUR taxpayers’ money to help fund such moves. State Media ‘editors without substance bottling a live BBC Radio debate challenge from Rico Sorda. Sleight-of-hand ‘statistics’ being employed to con you about keeping the Constables in the States within the report issues by our hijacked Electoral Commission – and an update on banned U.S. journalist Leah McGrath Goodman’s attempt to get her Visa status reinstated and it really can only be…

The political news review that tells you what the mainstream media should be telling you but don’t!

Keep the Faith – and don’t have nightmares. Eventually we all wake-up. Don’t we?

'Please clink on the link below to sign the pettion to get Leah McGrath Goodman's Visa status restored. 

http://www.change.org/petitions/ukhomeoffice-restore-the-visa-of-banned-journalist-leah-mcgrath-goodman-freejersey 

Child Abuse Concealin’ Journalist Bannin’ Justice Riggin’ Tax-dodger Lovin’ Propaganda Spinnin’ Progressive Smearin’ Commission Corruptin’ Democracy Destroyin’ Lipsmackin’ Pep – Whoops – JERSEY ESTABLISHMENT!

A new fizzy drink that will rot your soul almost as fast as your teeth? No. Just a few Bald Truths that Senator Bailhache doesn’t want ‘States Deputies’ to talk about because it might damage the Establishment Party’s reputation…

Leaks on the Electoral Commission... Leaks about forthcoming right-wing ‘party politics’… A very serious question regarding the land re-zoning allegations investigation... The real reason we are having to pump tens of millions of pounds in to re-developing social housing… 

All of this and banned U.S. journalist Leah McGrath Goodman still no nearer to getting her Visa... It can only be ‘the Bald Truth Review’ Episode 4!

The video is all pretty self-explanatory: the stories speak for themselves. So I will add only this. Why I am I being a party pooper and releasing some of the key ‘findings’ of our Electoral Commission the day before it’s official launch? 

Simply because despite numerous reassurances from the Establishment that such behaviour was a thing of the past – once again the mainstream media – the States Media – have been given an important report a full THREE days before elected representatives of the people!

It shouldn’t happen. It wouldn’t happen – in a proper, functioning democracy at least. But hey, this is Jersey remember. And whilst bleating to the Finance industry that ‘States Deputies’ should not tell the truth about issues that are ruining the island I love in case it ruins our ‘international reputation’ the Senator treats his colleagues with arrogant contempt. 

Then again, when you see what the Commission has come up with I suppose that’s nothing set against the way all of you who wanted a fair and equally-weighted system of representation have been treated. Have I got anything wrong? Well, who knows – but if so my excuse would be that I’m not afforded the same access to the report as the Jersey Evening Post, Channel Television or the BBC!

Makes you proud to be a democrat!

Keep the Faith

Trevor

PS

Look out for my last words on the video. Print them on a tee shirt - they might just help YOU to help ME (and the Progressives) to save US…

'Please clink on the link below to sign the pettion to get Leah McGrath Goodman's Visa status restored. We want to hit the 2000 signature mark soon! 

http://www.change.org/petitions/ukhomeoffice-restore-the-visa-of-banned-journalist-leah-mcgrath-goodman-freejersey 

BALIFF BEAMS DOWN BENEVOLENTLY AS CHIEF MINISTER GORST TELLS HIM HE IS ‘PROUD’ OF OUR ‘SEPARATION OF POWERS’!

Yes, it’s just another day in the mad cap world of Jersey ‘democracy’…

Look – I love my island.

But the Bald Truth is that if you had stumbled into the Public Gallery for the States Sitting beginning October 9th 2012 you surely would have wondered if you had not been magically transported into the Theatre of the Absurd – or at the very least into an old episode of Sci-Fi classic ‘The Twilight Zone’.

Why? Just watch the video. We haven’t got a ‘separation of powers’ between Judiciary and Legislature anymore than we have a bona-fide working judicial system. I mean, where else in the world would a Jurat who is an evidenced, long-standing personal friend of a company director of a defendant in a court case still be allowed by the Bailiff’s Office to sit in judgement on this? That’s right – nowhere.

Throw in the further truth that this same Jurat is revealed in the government suppressed Sharp Report to be anything but a fit and proper person to hold such a role in the first place and the whole thing stinks: stinks more than a week old dead kipper! Unless you are a part of the Establishment Party, of course, in which case this is likely seen as perfectly normal and all in order? 

And they wonder why this stuff is going to London!

Shh! Don’t tell anyone but we also have another exclusive ‘leak!’ A whinging, whining letter from the editor of the Jersey Evening Post trying desperately to defend the fact that his ‘newspaper’ regularly publishes fake letters. Mmmm? Just a bit odd don’t you think how these are always about the same ‘Progressive’ politicians, eh Mr. Bright?  Oh, and don’t tell Senator Philip Ozouf anyone but apparently he is making ‘thinly-veiled threats to the freedom of the press’!

The editor also whines that he thinks I have a ‘grudge’ against his organ because I have highlighted the above letter issue – not to mention, no doubt, my Scrutiny Panel review into the ‘Finances of Operation Rectangle’ blowing the ‘factual reporting’ of the JEP and other mainstream media completely out of the water to reveal another stinking, cesspit of Establishment Party propaganda. 

According to Mr. Bright I’m even ‘abusing’ Parliamentary Privilege because like others I have called for an independent media Ombudsman?  No Mr. Bright all I ask for his fairness and accuracy in reporting. I’ll be publishing the letter in full very soon.

But what else do we have for you?

Top secret ‘super-injunctions’ perverting the island’s Data Protection Law that we taxpayers are helping to pay for - but are not allowed to know anything about. A Chief Minister who wants us to believe that he is fully committed to investigate the ‘Historic’ Abuse scandal – but still hasn’t bothered to read the horrifying Sharp Report. And finally, after 243 years a proposition seeking to officially recognise the true birth of the democracy our Establishment Party are still trying to strangle to this day. That’s right September 28th 1769…

Yes, it can only be ‘The Bald Truth Review’ Episode Three. But don’t have nightmares: the truth is out there somewhere and some of us are slowly bringing it in from the dark!

Keep the Faith

Trevor