States members not to disclose worldwide interests

An amendment to the States' rules of procedure which would require States members to declare annually any property interests internationally, as well as in Guernsey, has been defeated.

Deputy Peter Ferbrache brought forward the amendment, which, if passed would have meant members, their spouses or partners they lived with, and their children, would have had to disclose any property they owned worldwide.

Deputies who spoke against the proposal said it could put States members and their properties at risk.

They said it was personal information which should not be in the public domain.

Ferbrache said declaring interests should be an "all or nothing" question, and islanders needed to know what might be impacting decisions.

But other members argued their offshore property interests were not relevant to the island, and interests were mentioned during debates if important.

Deputy Carl Meerveld said: "There is a difference between what is of interest to the public and 'in the public interest'."

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