Island seeks to bypass Privy Council to speed Brexit laws
THE UK Government has not provided the clarity expected over Brexit, Guernsey’s top legal advisor has said, as she argues for powers which mean the island could change its laws in response without having the usual oversight.
Policy & Resources has published a policy letter setting out how Guernsey will repeal or alter any laws which set out its relationship with the European Union as part of the UK’s withdrawal.
But with no certainty over what the UK Government will do, it has proposed putting in place a wide-ranging projet de loi – which would need approval from the Privy Council, which is responsible for ensuring Guernsey’s laws meet good governance standards – that would allow the States to make whatever changes it sees fit without having to go back to the council for approval.
If approved by all the relevant authorities, that projet is expected to be signed off and registered just seven months before the March 2019 Brexit deadline.
‘Since the triggering of Article 50 by the United Kingdom in March 2017, which began the two-year timescale for Brexit, HM Government has been slow to set out its negotiating position and has not provided the clarity expected,’ said HM Procureur Megan Pullum.
Full story in Saturday's Guernsey Press
