Chief Minister steps back from review into Abramovich raids over 'conflict of interest'
Deputy Moore said "I'm not going to talk to you" before ITV News had a chance to ask any questions
Jersey's Chief Minister has stepped back from an investigation she ordered into unlawful Police raids carried out at businesses linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Deputy Kristina Moore called for the review in November 2022, saying "all Jersey authorities to adhere to the highest standards, including the most stringent checks and balances".
But she's now told the island's parliament, the States Assembly, that she couldn't be a part of it as her husband's firm "acted for one of the parties" involved in the legal proceedings.
According to court documents seen by ITV News, Advocate James Dickinson - the Chief Minister's husband - was briefly part of the team representing 'A Limited' - one of the companies allegedly linked to Mr Abramovich which took action against Jersey Police.
In November, Jersey Police were found to have conducted unlawful searches at premises allegedly linked to Roman Abramovich in April 2022.
The force agreed to pay damages to two parties, referred to as 'XY' and 'A Limited' in court documents.
On Tuesday 18 April, St Brelade politician Deputy Montfort Tadier asked the Chief Minister for an update on the review.
Deputy Moore took a moment to gather her thoughts, saying she was "struggling to find the right answer" before adding: "Following my announcement, I discovered that I had a conflict [of interest].
"I was not aware of that at the time of calling for an independent investigation, and have therefore had to recuse myself and have had no further part in these discussions."
She added that fellow Ministers, Deputy Kirsten Morel or Deputy Ian Gorst, would be able to provide an update on the status of the investigation.
Kristina Moore reveals she stepped back from the investigation she ordered
Jersey's Deputy Bailiff, Robert MacRae, was presiding over the parliamentary sitting. He pushed the Chief Minister to explain the conflict of interest.
Deputy Moore said: "It was stated in a judgement that has been published by the court that my husband's firm acted for one of the parties in this case for a small number of days and therefore I consider that I have a conflict in this matter."When asked which party her husband's firm was representing, she said: "I think you will have some sympathy that I do not know, generally, who my husband's clients are and therefore I am afraid I couldn't even recall which of the parties in this matter was the client at that time."
Later in the day, the Chief Minister issued a statement confirming she learned of the conflict just a matter of days after she announced the investigation, and immediately stepped back:
"I learned about the conflict of interest on or about 15 November 2022 and immediately arranged for the matter to be dealt with by other Ministers (the Deputy Chief Minister and Treasury Minister).
"It is a normal and proper course of action for a Minister to recuse themselves from a matter when they become aware of a conflict of interest."
She also denied any information about the case was disclosed by the legal firm:
"The source of the information concerning the conflict is legally privileged and confidential but was not from my husband’s law firm. I cannot comment further for the reasons already explained in the States Assembly. This matter is the subject of current proceedings and a criminal investigation."
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