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The directors of Sark's only ferry operator have claimed they are being strong-armed into resigning by the island's government - despite no reason being provided for the move.
Sark's Policy and Finance Committee is reported to have urged members of the Board to step down and will take the matter to Chief Pleas - the island's parliament - at an extraordinary meeting tonight if they resist.
The situation has been laid bare in an open letter by Isle of Sark Managing Director Yan Milner, on behalf of the ferry company's Board of Directors, to members of Sark's government.
Mr Milner said the Board was told to resign by 10:00 this morning, or face a motion to remove them at a specially-arranged Chief Pleas meeting tonight. No papers have been published saying why the committee wants to get rid of the board, and Conseillers are unlikely to receive them until just a few hours before this evening's 19:00 meeting.
Looks very much as though a small secretive group on P and F are attempting to bounce Chief Pleas into a decision on Isle of Sark Shipping with half the information only. This is not the right thing to do. Islanders should know what’s happening to it’s lifeline. #Sark
— Sarah Beaumont (@pencadlys) August 24, 2020
The Directors are expected to resist calls for their resignation, saying there should be an opportunity for them to answer whatever accusations are being made against them and present the company's future plans.
If Chief Pleas decide at the end of that process to remove the Board of Directors, Mr Milner said they would "arrange an orderly handover" and act in the "best interests" of Sark.
"The Directors are well aware of the desire of the Policy and Finance Committee to secure their replacement, so there is no need for secrecy or urgent underhand action," he said.
"The Directors would resign if it is shown to be the will of Chief Pleas. We would though expect and request that a proper process is undertaken to fully inform such an important decision."
Pictured: Sark Shipping does not know what awaits it at Chief Pleas this evening.
Mr Milner said his Board do not know what accusations will be levelled at them, let alone have a right to respond to them.
He stressed that the company is not suffering a financial crisis, despite average passenger figures reportedly falling this year, in part due to the corona virus crisis.
"The company is financially secure through to the next season and has robust plans going forward to ensure a sustainable future, with long term vessel upgrade and replacement planning in place," said Mr Milner.
A public meeting was cancelled last night by Sark Shipping in view of the upcoming extra-ordinary meeting of Chief Pleas.
Pictured: Isle of Sark Shipping MD Yan Milner said the company has "robust plans" for the future.
In an open letter to Conseillers, Mr Milner urged them to reject the motion to dismiss them in such a "hurried" and "unnecessarily secretive manner".
"Please insist that the vote on any proposition is delayed until after the process suggested is completed. This is too important to allow a small group of dictate such momentous action. You have a duty to ensure the democratic processes of government and that decision you make are genuinely in the public interest."
Lt Col Reginald Guille, Chief Pleas Speaker, said the meeting had been summoned under Section 32 (2) (b) of The Reform (Sark) Law, 2008.
He has waived the notice required under the Rules of Procedure and allowed this meeting to be called at short notice. The report and supporting papers will not be available "until PM Tuesday 25 August." The agenda for tonight can be found HERE.
Pictured top: One of Sark Shipping's vessels, the Sark Venture, which is currently out of service. (Chris George)
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