Chief Minister in heated exchanges with Reform Jersey

After Jersey was not placed on a blacklist of so-called tax havens put together by the EU last week, Senator Ian Gorst announced in the States that he was ‘absolutely optimistic’ about the future of Jersey’s largest industry.

However, Deputy Sam Mézec questioned the Island’s business ties with Bahrain, which the Chef Minister visited last year and was placed on the blacklist.

‘Does the fact that they are financially dodgy give the Chief Minister cause to think that we should give it a rest engaging with them,’ he said.

In an angry response, Senator Gorst accused Deputy Mézec of ‘parrotting’ detractors of the Island.

‘When it comes to the issue of Bahrain, he knows that we follow British foreign policy,’ he said.

During a fiery exchange that followed Deputy Mézec called the Chief Minister a ‘liar’ after he was accused of opposing the Island’s finance industry. He was asked to retract the remark by the Bailiff, which he did.

Earlier during oral questions, the Chief Minister was questioned by Deputy Geoff Southern over whether the Island would need to update its tax code, including its zero-ten tax regime, after being placed on a so-called ‘grey-list’.

The Chief Minister also accused Deputy Southern of siding with people who criticise Jersey.

‘He sides himself with our detractors who suggest that we are not following the relevant international standards,’ he said.

‘That shows a lack of understanding about what happens in our financial services industry and I think that is unacceptable.’

Deputy Southern asked the Bailiff to make a ruling on whether the Chief Minister had impugned his integrity by suggesting that he sides with the Island’s opponents.

The Bailiff said that the Chief Minister had not and Deputy Southern thanked him for that.

Want to read more? You can buy single editions of the JEP online here

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –