September 8, 2021
On 7th September 2021, Jersey’s Minister for External Relations and Financial Services, Senator Ian Gorst, participated in a Justice Select Committee evidence session in the UK Parliament. Also participating were Guernsey’s Lead Member for External Relationships and Constitutional Affairs, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, and the Isle of Man’s Chief Minister, Howard Quayle CBE. The role of the Justice Select Committee is to examine the policies and spending of the Ministry of Justice in the UK Government, the department responsible for leading and maintaining oversight of the UK’s relationship with the Crown Dependencies.
The session focussed on the functionality of the constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies. Crown Dependency Ministers were provided with the opportunity to outline perspectives on the working relationship with the Ministry of Justice, notably in consideration of the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Senator Ian Gorst highlighted improvements in the relationship, including the increase in direct contact with other Ministerial departments facilitated by the Ministry of Justice. Senator Ian Gorst also referred to existing challenges, including the use of Permissive Extent Clauses (PECs) in UK legislation without prior consent of the Crown Dependencies; and legacy issues resulting from Brexit, including the outstanding dispute on fishing license arrangements with France.
Other areas relating to Jersey’s interests, including the UK’s support for Jersey’s international identity and Jersey’s priorities on participation in the UK’s non-EU trade agreements were also discussed. The Government of Jersey London Office will continue to work closely with the Committee to support Jersey’s interests across Westminster and Whitehall in accordance with the Jersey-UK constitutional relationship, for the benefit of all Islanders.
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