Chief Minister holds first formal meeting with Brexit Minister

Monday 07 November 2016

A meeting between the Chief Ministers of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man with the new UK Brexit Minister has been described as "important and productive."

The meeting took place at the beginning of the month, and was with Robin Walker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union.

This was the first of the formal quarterly meetings between the Crown Dependencies (CDs) and Minister Walker.

Chief Minister of Senator Ian Gorst, said: “This meeting was a good opportunity to build on the important joint work that has been taking place at official level between the Crown Dependencies and the United Kingdom since the Brexit vote.

“The granting of specific responsibility to Minister Walker within his department for liaising with the Crown Dependencies is a very welcome step and I look forward to working with him to ensure that the CDs’ voices are heard at all levels of Government in the months and years ahead.”

Chief Minister of Guernsey, Deputy Gavin St Pier, said: “During our first quarterly meeting with the new UK Department for Exiting the EU, it was reassuring to find that we have benefitted from the preparation we have undertaken before and after the EU referendum.

“As the UK prepares to leave the EU, the working relationship we are creating means that we are well placed to ensure our interests are known, understood and taken into account. It will also ensure we are ready to react to secure our best interests when it becomes clearer what leaving the EU will mean for the UK.”

Minister for Exiting the European Union, Robin Walker MP, said: “As we approach our negotiations with the European Union we will go on working closely with our friends in the Crown Dependencies, helping to ensure that we get a deal that works for everyone.

"Our meeting was an important and productive step in our continued discussions, allowing us to understand the challenges and opportunities that will arise for Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man."