Police files kept on States members (FOI)

Request

Operation Blast was a police operation under Chief Officer Graham Power for which secret files were kept on every elected States member.

A

What happened to the files? Were they destroyed?

B

Are they subject to the Data Protection Jersey Law 2018?

C

Can I have confirmation that no similar files are kept on States members today?

D

Are States Members or Ministers today "vetted in any way" as described by Ian Le Marquand in his report on Operation Blast as a matter for future decisions? If so, how?

Response

A

The files were removed by Wiltshire Police who undertook the enquiry into the collation of the information. The files were destroyed on completion of the enquiry.

B

Not applicable, the files no longer exist. All personal data held by the States of Jersey Police is subject to the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018.

C

No similar files are kept on States members today, however information gathered by police on victims of crime, suspects, witnesses and so on. is held by the police. The retention of such information is in accordance with the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018 and the Management of Police Information regulations.

D

The States of Jersey Law 2005 requires a person seeking election as a Senator or Deputy to declare certain convictions at the time of nomination.

These convictions are listed in Article 9 of the States of Jersey Law 2005 which can be viewed at the link below:

States of Jersey Law 2005

Constables should make a similar declaration at nomination under Article 4A of the Connétables (Jersey) Law 2008 which can be viewed at the link below:

Connétables (Jersey) Law 2008

Declaring any of these offences (other than a corruption offence whist in office) is not a bar to standing for election. It is for the public to decide who they wish to represent them in government.

There is no legal requirement for States Member to undergo National Security vetting. Some Ministers and States members whose duties require them to have sight of Secret and Top Secret information, from Jersey, the UK, the EU or other jurisdictions should be vetted to the UK National Security standard to ensure compliance with the State of Jersey Security Policy Framework, see below link:

State of Jersey Security Policy Framework