A number of high-profile names in Jersey society have been caught up in the child-abuse scandal.

Channel Television suggested yesterday that among those people who should perhaps have known what was going on at the home was Reg Jeune, once one of the island’s most powerful politicians. Mr Jeune, a retired former senator and Finance Minister, was president of the education committee from 1971 to 1984, when police claim abuse was at its worst.

Former staff at the home include the island’s current director of education. Mario Lundy, who worked at the Haut de la Garenne before its closure in 1986, is one of a number of States of Jersey employees connected to the home. Mr Lundy declined to comment.

Frank Walker, the island’s Chief Minister, said that no current government employees were the “subject of any police recommendation”.

Mr Jeune declined to come to the door of his pink granite farmhouse on the outskirts of St Helier yesterday.

Others who should perhaps have known the facts were named by Channel Television last night as John Le Marquand, education committee president in the early 1960s, Herbert Wimberley, the director of education, and Patricia Thornton, the children’s officer. At the time, Colin Tilbrook was a headmaster at Haut de la Garenne.

Mr Jeune was replaced as education committee president in 1984 by Phil G. Mourant.

Charles Smith, the assistant children’s officer since 1964, succeeded Mrs Thornton in 1973. In 1974 John Rodhouse succeeded Mr Wimberley as director of education. Jim Thomson, now dead, became superintendent at the home in 1979.

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