GUERNSEY POST’S dispute with the regulator could end up in a legal battle.
Chief executive Gordon Steele (pictured) said any appeal to the Royal Court would have to be within a month of the Office of Utility Regulation’s final decision on proposals to break up the utility’s monopoly.
However, he would not be drawn on whether the company would pursue that, preferring instead to bank on political backing. ‘We’re hoping that we can get some support from the Policy Council and we know there are deputies talking about a requete [a petition to the States],’ said Mr Steele.
The OUR proposal to open up the postal market to competition has provoked an angry response. In a bid to win support, Guernsey Post met Policy Council ministers for an hour on Monday. ‘We took them through our case, our concerns,’ said Mr Steele. ‘We’ve now spoken to the Policy Council, Postwatch and lots of customers.
‘We’ve spoken to the Institute of Directors and the Chamber of Commerce. The one person missing is the regulator. We’d really like to talk to the regulator, but it seems that’s not going to happen.’
Asked about possible court action or a requete attacking its proposals, the OUR declined to address the matter directly. However, it denied that its door was closed to discussion.
Article posted on 7th November, 2009 - 2.30pm
.gif "Sula Gallery")
2 Article Comments
It looks like the advocates will be rubbing their expensive money grabbing hands together.
Report abuse
Let me get this right. T&R own the Guernsey Post and T&R set up the OUR and wrote its terms of engagement.
And the GP (that taxpayers own) are threatening to take to court the regulator, (that taxpayers employ), using GP money (taxpayers) that will be defended by OUR who’s revenue comes from the GP?
Very funny
Report abuse