 In May 2008, Syvret made a formal complaint to the police claiming that senior civil servants had perverted the course of justice by covering up abuse of children in care homes.During 2008, an independent report by Alan Williamson commissioned by the States in response to Syvret's claims concluded that no children in care in Jersey were currently at risk, while a review by the Howard League for Penal Reform was critical of the regime that had operated at Greenfields, one of the island's children's homes, during Syvret's time as minister.In June 2008 Syvret brought a vote of no confidence against the Council of Ministers in relation to the Waterfront (a major development in St Helier) – it was defeated by 41 votes to eight.