UK Government appoints new man as link with the Island

Tuesday 26 July 2016

The UK Government has named the politician whose job it’s going to be to liaise between Westminster and Jersey.

He’s Sir Oliver Heald – Conservative MP for North East Hertfordshire.

Sir Oliver is 61, studied law at Cambridge University and then went on to work as a barrister for more than 20 years.  He was elected to parliament in 1992.

In the recent referendum Sir Oliver voted to remain in the EU, but, in a statement on his website says: “"I accept the national result of the referendum. I campaigned to Remain in the EU and my constituents voted to remain. We were outvoted by other parts of the country.”

Sir Oliver’s appointment follows the Government’s recent shake-up.

Previously Lord Faulks was the Island’s link with Westminister. But, he resigned as minister of State for Justice last week following Prime Minister Theresa May’s appointment of Liz Truss MP as Lord Chancellor.

According to a Ministry of Justice representative: “Elizabeth Truss, is the Privy Counsellor with special responsibility for Island Affairs. She will be supported in this role by Sir Oliver Heald, who takes over as Minister responsible for the conduct of Islands' business within Whitehall. Both are looking forward to working with the Crown Dependencies.”