John Fernandez

Lucy Domaille, one of 14 victims of serial voyeur Kirk Bishop, says she is angry that he was granted leave to appeal his six-year Royal Court sentence without victims being directly notified in advance. Bishop, who secretly filmed people including couples having sex in their homes and also admitted burglary and trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence, was granted leave after a judge found he may not have received enough credit for his guilty pleas and cooperation with police. Guernsey's Court of Appeal is due to hear the case in December. Court officials said the decision to grant leave does not determine the appeal's outcome, while Domaille criticised the lack of transparency, the sentence and Bishop's access to taxpayer-funded legal aid.

Royal Bank of Scotland International (RBSI) has confirmed that around 50 employees across Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar will be made redundant, mainly from its client onboarding team. The bank says the cuts are part of efforts to simplify operations and maintain customer service. Separately, Aztec Group is reviewing less than 3% of roles globally as it reorganises its operations, while describing itself as healthy and profitable.

Victoria Oliver of Guernsey was diagnosed with Addison's disease after becoming critically ill following septic arthritis and sepsis. Doctors initially warned that further pregnancy would be extremely unlikely, but four months later she became pregnant with twins, now six years old. A specialist in London diagnosed Addison's disease and treated her with steroids, preventing a potentially fatal adrenal crisis. Oliver and her mother Sadie Wilkins have since worked to learn more about the rare condition, which affects about 8,000 people in the UK.

Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee has been criticised for failing to publish a revised fiscal policy framework by a 15 July deadline set by the States Assembly. Scrutiny Management Committee president Andy Sloan said the missed deadline reflected a worrying failure to follow resolutions and a lack of fiscal maturity, while deputy Haley Camp also criticised the delay. P&R president Lindsay de Sausmarez said the deadline was unrealistic because the same small staff team was working on tax reform. The revised framework is expected to be considered later in the year, with a debate on tax reform scheduled to resume on 30 September.

Recent testing found poor water quality at Guernsey’s Havelet Bay, prompting concern due to a faulty sewage outfall near Soldier’s Bay. The environmental regulator said the four-year average for the area remains excellent and that isolated poor results are not unusual. Swimmers and local critics expressed shock and dissatisfaction, linking the issue to delayed infrastructure repairs. Guernsey Water has begun replacing the damaged outfall pipe, with teams removing the faulty section and preparing a new one for installation.

Guernsey’s Policy and Resources Committee may revise its tax reform package before debate resumes on 30 September after States members ran out of time in the latest session. Proposed measures include a 3% goods and services tax, tax breaks for lower and middle earners, savings initiatives, reinstating motor tax and higher corporate taxes. Several amendments were approved, including examining a flat tax rate, providing tax breaks for parents and restricting government spending increases to inflation for three years. Committee president Lindsay de Sausmarez criticised filibustering claims, while some deputies defended extended debate as necessary scrutiny. Further amendments, including new taxes on under‑used buildings and high earners, are expected at the next meeting. Concerns were raised about the impact of limiting spending growth on benefits and pensions.

Guernsey politicians delayed a decision on introducing a 3% goods and services tax until their September meeting after running out of time with multiple amendments still pending. Early votes supported tax breaks for parents and a review of a flat tax, while efforts to halt GST work, hold a referendum, or introduce alternative revenue measures were rejected. Debate was marked by accusations of filibustering among deputies. Protests against GST took place throughout the week, drawing about 200 people initially. A measure to tighten government spending was approved despite warnings from health officials about potential negative effects on treatment access.

Protesters criticised Guernsey deputies for blocking debate on amendments proposing taxes on underused properties and high-net-worth individuals. Deputy David Goy expressed disappointment that four of his five tax amendments were not debated, while supporters of the Policy and Resources tax package accused opponents of filibustering. Deputies have already rejected proposals to halt work on a goods and services tax, hold a referendum and create a spending committee, with further debate likely to continue later in the month.

Marc Leadbeater was elected to Guernsey’s Committee for Economic Development, defeating Simon Vermeulen, while Gavin St Pier was elected unopposed to the Committee for Employment and Social Security. The appointments follow the resignations of Garry Collins and Haley Camp. Leadbeater highlighted priorities including cooperation with Home Affairs on population management and contributing his construction-sector experience to address housing needs.

Guernsey is hosting the 45th British-Irish Council summit, attended by governments from across the British Isles and focusing on early years and family support. Established under the Good Friday Agreement, the council provides a forum for political leaders to share updates and strengthen intergovernmental relations. Discussions are expected to include the UK’s proposed ban on social media use by under‑16s. The event is hosted by Lindsay de Sausmarez, with Guernsey covering the costs of staging the conference, and the full agenda remains undisclosed.

Guernsey is hosting the 45th British-Irish Council summit, bringing together governments from across the British Isles to discuss early years and family support. The meeting, part of a long-running cooperation framework established under the Good Friday Agreement, will feature closed-door discussions and a press conference, with attendance lists kept confidential for security. Guernsey, which has hosted five previous summits, will cover event costs and expects the agenda to include topics such as the UK’s proposed ban on social media for under‑16s.

A majority of Guernsey deputies have indicated support for Policy and Resources’ proposed tax reform package, including a 3% goods and services tax, reduced income tax rates, and social security changes. Sixteen deputies back the plan, twelve oppose it, and ten remain undecided ahead of the 15 July debate. The proposals face 21 amendments ranging from new spending oversight to GST exemptions for Alderney utilities. Forward Guernsey’s elected members support the package, while several deputies, including Haley Camp and Adrian Gabriel, oppose aspects of the plan or the GST rate. Deputy Liam McKenna has warned of a potential no-confidence vote if the proposals fail.

Guernsey deputies are preparing multiple amendments to the Policy and Resources Committee’s tax reform plans, including renewed debate on whether food should be subject to any future goods and services tax. Proposals under consideration include child allowances, a flat tax, exemptions for local products, and measures to tax visiting traders. Some previously suggested alternatives, such as raising income tax instead of introducing GST, are no longer being pursued. If approved, the tax package would take effect in 2028, though rejection would not revert to earlier decisions supporting a 5% GST and related reforms.

Guernsey’s police chief Damian Kitchen condemned the island’s police complaints system as being open to misuse after a complaint against him was dismissed. He argued that frivolous complaints undermine legitimate cases and called for faster progress on the ongoing review of the law. The original complainant, Paul Oliviera, accused the force of a cover‑up, while Home Affairs President Marc Leadbeater voiced frustration over delays to the review. The oversight process has previously faced controversy, including the removal of Deputy Rob Curgenven from its board.

Fire crews extinguished a large hedge fire in St Sampson after it spread to a barn, burning trees, undergrowth and straw bales. Animals were safely moved away and no injuries were reported. Residents were advised to stay indoors due to smoke while police closed nearby roads. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, and firefighters are continuing damping-down operations.