THE Crown Dependencies need to stand united against countries ridiculing their status. IoM Department of Trade and Industry minister Alex Downie said a clear and consistent message should be sent to those still keen to run the islands down.

‘All the jurisdictions are subject to ridicule and threats from other countries about our offshore status. We’re still referred to as tax havens, which we’re not – we’re all well-run and properly-regulated jurisdictions,’ he said.

‘We can work collectively to get the message across that British offshore jurisdictions are well run and competent and I think that’s strategically worthwhile. It doesn’t do any harm for the chief ministers and respective ministers to meet on a regular basis and talk.’

He added that Spain had been particularly down on all the offshore dependencies.

‘We should be working collectively on discussions and working with the UK. It’s about time we got together with the UK and fought our corner.’

He added that most financial operations in the IoM and the Channel Islands were more transparent than in other countries which were constantly critical.

‘It’s because of historic differences that we’ve been able to operate the type of service we have, not like some bigger countries where waste is the norm, along with high levels of unemployment and social problems. Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man have been very careful in the development of their infrastructure – of paramount importance is the wellbeing and economic success of our citizens.’

Mr Downie said that a lot of other countries had been to quick to criticise the islands because they had been successful. ‘I do think there’s quite a lot of jealousy creeping in from time to time.’

There had not been as much criticism of the islands from the UK recently, he said.

‘I think the message is getting through that we’re well-run, open, honest and well regulated.’

But other European nations could not grasp how the three jurisdictions were run, he said.

Jersey’s Economic Development minister Philip Ozouf said it was important to recognise there were minority groups attempting to drive wedges between the islands and ridicule their latest tax proposals.