MPs are today set to debate an amendment to the sanctions and anti-money laundering bill that would seek to force the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories to introduce registers open to public inspection showing who owned a company.
But Guernsey, Jersey and fellow Crown dependency the Isle of Man have mounted a united defence of their position, all stressing that the UK cannot legislate in this way on a domestic issue without the islands’ agreement.
Policy and Resource president Gavin St Pier joined Jersey chief minister Ian Gorst and Isle of Man chief minister Howard Quayle in meetings with government officials and MPs in an attempt to ensure the constitutional position was understood.
All three islands have introduced private registers of beneficial ownership that law enforcement can quickly access and do not want to go further unless there was international agreement to do so.
The UK has a public register.
The issue is being taken so seriously that Senator Gorst interrupted his election campaign in Jersey to rush to London – he had been due to speak at a hustings last night.
He was joined by external relations minister and former Bailiff Sir Philip Bailhache.
Speaking from London, Sir Philip said that he, Jersey’s chief minister and solicitor general Mark Temple were urging UK parliamentarians to reject the amendment.
‘We are concerned about the constitutional position because the constitutional position is very clear and I think it is actually also accepted by the UK government,’ said Sir Philip.
‘And that is that neither the UK parliament nor the UK government has the power to direct the States or the government on the matter of the introduction of a public register of beneficial ownership.
‘That is a matter for the government of Jersey. That is what constitutional autonomy means.’
The minister said that he was ‘making the case’ to UK ministers and MPs to ‘respect the established constitutional position’ of the island.
Mr Quayle has said: ‘The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey would expect this constitutional arrangement to be respected. I have met Senator Ian Gorst of Jersey and Deputy Gavin St Pier of Guernsey and together we will resist any orders that breach that convention.’
The amendment is being led by Labour MP Margaret Hodge and reportedly has significant cross-party support.
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