​The Chief Minister made the following statement after his meetings with UK Ministers on 30 April:

“Following meetings with UK Ministers and senior officials today, I am reassured that the UK Government recognises both our constitutional position and our strong track record on meeting international standards of transparency. As a result, the Government has tabled its own amendment to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill passing through Parliament, that does not attempt  to impose legislation on Jersey.

“This amendment, if passed, would properly respect our constitutional relationship. I believe this reflects Jersey’s leading position in having already established registers of beneficial ownership and effective procedures for information sharing that prevent the island from being used for money laundering and terrorist financing. If public registers were to become an international standard, we will consider implementing such a policy in the same way as we have other international standards in this area. 

“The speed with which the UK Government has intervened on this issue demonstrates the value of our close co-operation and our centuries of shared heritage.”