Minister asked for update on Haut du Mont investigation

Jersey's Home Affairs Minister's been asked in the States Assembly to give an update on the investigation into the explosion at Haut du Mont, in which 10 people died.

Mary Le Hegarat told the Assembly that three suspects remain on conditional bail, and a file will be passed to the Law Officers' Department ' in due course' for a charging decision.

Ten people died in a blast at their flats on Pier Road in December 2022.  A police investigation - called Operation Spire - is ongoing in conjunction with the Health and Safety Inspectorate.

Last August, three men were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

Deputy Montfort Tadier said he had been prompted to ask what is happening by a family member directly affected by the disaster in December 2022. 

"He talks of the need for closure, not only for those directly affected but also because it is a matter of public interest  - that many people in the island would like to know what is going on, and if their houses are safe."

The minister said Operation Spire has dealt with 1991 actions, 6975 documents, 1850 exhibits and 1118 statements, with the cost of the investigation running to £2.7m to the end of 2023.

"I full appreciate that people want closure, but it is appropriate when we have something of such serious nature that the investigation teams, in all of the areas that are looking at this, need time and space to do this.

"It is important that this file is put together in a professional manner, and no stone is left unturned.

"Once the file is completed, it will go to the Law Officers' Department, and that means they have got significant work to do, to be able to look at, to see where this go next."

Pressed on when more information would be available, Deputy Le Hegarat: 

"At this stage, I would not want information to be put into the public domain that could have any impact at all on any process that could happen thereafter. 

 "I will speak to the investigation team and will ask that question, but as far as I am concerned, the most important thing at this time is that that investigation can continue can be continued unimpeded.  For me, that is the priority."

Later in the sitting, the minister was also asked - by the Constable of St Saviour - for an update on the investigation into a suspected explosion at a family home on Mont Pinel on 26 June 2024.

Deputy Le Hegarat said she was unable to make any comment at this time.