FOLLOWING Jersey’s lead in lowering the age of gay consent would come as no surprise to Chief Minister Laurie Morgan. The issue was one of many raised during the recent meeting of the Crown Dependencies held in the island.

Under pressure to be human-rights-compliant, Jersey States recently brought the age of consent for straight and gay sex into line by lowering the age of homosexual consent to 16.

Deputy Morgan expects the issue to be before the House within months.

‘It’s inevitable that we will have to look closely at that. The Health and Social Services Department believes it is something it should be progressing as part of its conformity with the human rights legislation,’ he said.

He added it would be an interesting debate, which should bring out a range of views.

Deputy Morgan chaired the annual meeting, which also had representatives from Jersey, the Isle of Man, Alderney and Sark.

‘We have so much in common with the other two Crown Dependencies and Alderney and Sark, it would be foolish of us not to meet regularly.’

Annual meetings have been taking place for the past 20 years and Jersey is expected to host next year’s.

‘It’s inevitable that relationships with the UK and EU are always a hot topic between us.’

There was general satisfaction expressed by the meeting about the relationship with the UK Government which is conducted through the Department of Constitutional Affairs, said Deputy Morgan.

Developing the islands’ international personality was another issue raised during the three-and-a-half hours of talks.