Corrupt police officers, politicians and a leading businessman are attempting to discredit the investigation into child abuse at a Jersey care home, the island’s police said today.

Search teams are attempting to break into a second underground chamber at the Haut de la Garenne home where former residents said that they were tortured and sexually abused from the 1960s to 1986.

States of Jersey Police said that at least one of its former officers has made threats against those co-operating with the inquiry. It was also investigating claims that victims were being threatened by former child care staff.

The revelations will strengthen demands for Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, to send independent prosecutors and judges to the island to handle court cases arising from the inquiry.

A spokeswoman for Jersey Police said today: “A small number of police officers have left the force in various circumstances after being accused of activities which could be described as corrupt.

“They, and associates of theirs, including a local businessman and a small number of politicians, have conducted a high profile campaign aimed at discrediting officers involved in their cases.

“This has included sending a large number of letters including a threat to damage the home and vehicle of one of the officers concerned.

“Following the public announcement of this inquiry a politician connected with the child abuse debate was approached by at least one of these former officers and warned not to trust or co-operate with the officers leading the inquiry.”

The spokeswoman said that that no current minister was involved and that the investigation has received the full support of Senator Frank Walker, the Chief Minister,and Wendy Kennard, the Home Affairs Minister.

Jersey Police said that it had been sent letters and e-mails from a number of national newspapers which attempted to smear the leaders of the inquiry. The author was a sister of one of the associates of the former officers.

“We would emphasise that there is at present no evidence to suggest that these officers were involved in any so called ‘cover up’ of former offences of the type being investigated,” said the spokeswoman.

“The focus of the inquiry team remains the detection of people who have committed offences against children and we will not be deflected from this.

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