In brief: Jersey’s Police Chief Robin Smith has apologised to abuse victims after a leaked video showed him describing the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry as a “noose around the Island’s neck.” The comments emerged through an employment tribunal brought by a sacked safeguarding official. Mr Smith insists his words were taken out of context and that neither he nor the police are parties to the tribunal.
The Leaked Video and the Apology
The Jersey Evening Post reports that Police Chief Robin Smith has issued a public apology following the emergence of a leaked video in which he described the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry as a “noose around the Island’s neck.” The comments were made during a safeguarding meeting on 9 January 2025, at which former Government Chief Executive Dr Andrew McLaughlin was also present.
Mr Smith acknowledged that his words “may have caused concern,” particularly among those who experienced abuse and those who have worked to ensure the lessons of the past are not forgotten. In a statement, 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 went on to offer context for the remarks, stating: “The point I was making was that, while we must never forget the past, we must also have the confidence to move forward and use those lessons to shape the future. There is an important difference between moving on from the lessons of the past and moving forward because of them.” He added that he “readily accepts” some of his words could have been better chosen, and apologised for “any concern or hurt they may have caused.”
The Tribunal at the Centre of It All
The video came to light through an employment tribunal brought by Alison Renouf, who was sacked from her position as safeguarding partnership lead after she shared a recording of the meeting with partner agencies. The JEP reports that the Government of Jersey has fought to suppress reporting on the details of the meeting, though the newspaper states it has seen the video.
Mr Smith was keen to draw a clear line between himself and the tribunal proceedings, stating that neither he nor the States of Jersey Police are parties to the case. He noted that Mrs Renouf was a Government of Jersey employee, not a police employee, and that he had “no line management responsibility for her and no involvement in the government’s investigation, disciplinary process or decisions concerning her employment.”
He also confirmed that the police had received no criminal complaint concerning Mrs Renouf and had undertaken no criminal investigation, and that neither he nor the force had provided statements or evidence to the tribunal. Mr Smith added that he had been unaware of the tribunal proceedings until earlier in the week, and had not known that his comments from the January meeting were part of the evidence.
Confidentiality, Transparency and a Delicate Balance
Mr Smith’s statement touched on a tension that will resonate well beyond this particular case: the expectation that senior leaders can speak candidly in closed meetings, versus the public interest in knowing what those leaders actually think. “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, adding that “the circumstances in which this recording was shared are matters for the tribunal.”
At the same time, he insisted on his own commitment to openness: “I believe strongly in openness and transparency. They are fundamental to building and maintaining public trust and confidence, and my comments should be considered in their full context.”
The substance of the tribunal, he said, “is a matter between Mrs Renouf and the Government of Jersey and ultimately for the tribunal to determine.”
Source: Jersey Evening Post
