MPs protest at political persecution in Jersey

Posted on

BBC Jersey reports that:

Three MPs are condemning the decision by Jersey's magistrates' court to send former senator Stuart Syvret to prison.

Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming tabled a Commons motion claiming Mr Syvret was the victim of "political persecution". The 45-year-old has been jailed for 10 weeks after being convicted of contempt of court and breaking data protection laws. Mr Hemming wants the British government to raise concerns about his treatment.

As the BBC adds:

John Hemming, along with fellow Liberal Democrat Bob Russell and former Conservative minister Peter Bottomley, said he has been jailed for "criticising the Jersey establishment for its failures to enforce the rule of law". They say the sentence "is an attempt to frighten others away from raising concerns about the failings of the justice system in Jersey".

Stuart Syvret is a difficult man. I have had difficulties with him. But I also think he is strongly principled and courageous. And I believe the MPs are right to raise their concerns, which are, I think wholly justified.


Thanks for reading this post.
You can share this post on social media of your choice by clicking these icons:

You can subscribe to this blog's daily email here.

And if you would like to support this blog you can, here: