Bob Hill (politician)

Frederick John Hill, known as Bob Hill, is a Jersey politician and human rights campaigner. For 18 years he was Deputy for the parish of St Martin in the States of Jersey.

Frederick John Hill

BEM
Deputy
In office
1993–2011
Succeeded bySteve Luce
ConstituencySt Martin, Jersey
Personal details
Born31 October 1940
Jersey
Spouse(s)Ann Christine (Whiting)
ResidenceTrinity, Jersey
OccupationRetired police officer
Websitehttp://bobhilljersey.blogspot.com/

Biography

Hill was born in the parish of St Martin and attended Saint Martin's Elementary School. At the age of 20, he left the island to join the Metropolitan Police in London where during 31 years of service he worked in the East End of London and Brixton. He returned to Jersey in 1991.[1]

States of Jersey
Bob Hill (2nd from left) in procession, Liberation Day 2011

In 2005 to 2007, Hill chaired the States of Jersey Social Affairs scrutiny panel. An inquiry by the panel into the role of centeniers in the Magistrate's Court[2] led to the Hill's resignation as chairman over his plans to publish a legal opinion on the compatibility of practice in the Jersey court with the Convention right to a fair trial.[3] The panel continued with the inquiry, publishing a report that quickly led to reforms in court procedures.[4]

Hill called for the States of Jersey assembly to establish an official body to have oversight of the operation of the Human Rights (Jersey) Law 2000.[5] When this proposal failed, Hill set up the unofficial Jersey Human Rights Group in 2009.[6] He campaigned on other human rights issues, including prisoners' rights.[7]

Hill successfully proposed an inquiry into the constitutional role of the Bailiff and other Crown officers who are unelected members of the States of Jersey assembly.[8] A panel, chaired by Lord Carswell, reported in 2010 making far-reaching recommendations for reform.[9]

In 2009, Hill successfully campaigned for reforms in the handling of public sector employees who are suspended from work in Jersey.[10] His proposal for full public inquiry into the suspension of Jersey's chief of police, Graham Power, in relation to the major investigation into historic child abuse, failed[11] though an internal inquiry found that there had been procedural irregularities.[12]

In 2011, the States' assembly rejected Hill's proposals make it easier for people to claim compensation for injuries caused by badly maintained roads.[13]

Electoral history

He was elected as Deputy of St Martin in six successive elections between 1993 and 2008. He failed to win re-election in October 2011.[14]

Honours

Hill was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1991.

References
  1. States of Jersey (2011). "HILL, Frederick John (Bob Hill)". vote.je. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  2. Anon (2006). "Centeniers' role in court to be reviewed". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; Anon (2006). "Kinnard defends honorary system". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; Anon (2007). "Legality of court system under fire « This Is Jersey". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  3. Anon (2007). "Resignation row over legal report". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; Anon (2007). "AG tried to block report on court system". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; Anon (2007). "My advice to Members is confidential, says the AG". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  4. Anon (2007). "Deputy wins battle over court system". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  5. States of Jersey (2000). "Human Rights (Jersey) Law 2000". jerseylaw.je. Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  6. BBC (2009). "Rights group aims for recognition". BBC News. London: BBC. Retrieved 20 October 2011.; Hill, Bob (2009). "Human rights: Be early or you may not get in (Letter to the Jersey Evening Post)". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.;ITV Channel Television (2009). "Unofficial Human Rights Group". channelonline.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; Jersey Human Rights group (2011). "Jersey Human Rights Group Website". jerseyhumanrights.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  7. channelonline.tv (2010). "Laws 'don't comply with Human Rights'". channelonline.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2011.; ITV Channel Television (2009). "'Prison care needs independent review'". channelonline.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  8. Anon (2009). "Another year, another review of Bailiff's role". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; Anon (2009). "States to have review of non-elected Members' roles". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  9. BBC (2010). "Crown officers review hearings begin in Jersey". BBC News. London: BBC. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  10. Anon (2009). "Welcome new measures". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; Anon (2010). "Hill: Chief Minister should resign over suspension debacle". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; Jersey Evening Post editorial (2010). "Times of turmoil at Health". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.;ITV Channel Television (2009). "'Police Chief suspension illustrates problems'". channelonline.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; ITV Channel Television (2010). "Deputy Hill tackles Health Minister". channelonline.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  11. Anon (2010). "States reject call for police suspension inquiry". thisisjersey.com. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; ITV Channel Television (2010). "Police Chief's suspension to be reviewed". channelonline.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  12. ITV Channel Television (2010). "Now apologise, Chief Minister told". channelonline.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  13. BBC (2011). "Btates vote against road injury compensation for Jersey". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2011.; BBC (2011). "Deputy wants road injury compensation". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2011.;ITV Channel Television (2011). "States compensation call for pothole injuries". channelonline.tv. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  14. BBC (2011). "St Mary the first in Jersey election race". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
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