THE States will investigate civil partnerships for gay or straight couples. Members backed a requete led by Peter Roffey, who took the vote as an endorsement of civil partnerships.

The Policy Council will now investigate whether legislation should be introduced to give partners not able to marry similar legal rights as those who can.

A homosexual man, who did not want to be named, said it was important to have equality.

‘It’s a step forward and pats on the back to Deputy Roffey. At the end of the day, he’s taken this under his wing to get it sorted and he has, which is great.’

He said the island really had no choice but to introduce civil partnerships, and deputies such as Ron Le Moignan, who voted against, were in the minority.

There were issues for homosexual couples, such as inheritance of property and shares, he added.

Deputy Roffey was surprised with the victory.

‘To be honest, while I hoped to get this through, my experience with the States in the past is that with contentious moral issues you have to bring them more than once to get them accepted,’ he said.

‘Even some of those who were against made it clear they were in favour of civil partnerships, but not as a priority, so I think it really is a vote in favour of civil partnerships.’

The States had started to catch up with the people, he added, and government priorities were not just about issues such as tax avoidance.

‘You can’t start closing down new human scenarios because of that.’

Members voted by 23 to 18 in favour of investigating civil partnerships. Some were concerned about the amount of money needed, with the majority of the Policy Council against the requete.

Chief Minister Laurie Morgan could not say when the issue was likely to be back before the House.

‘The euthanasia investigation from start to finish took the best part of two years – it depends when we start, but I don’t think you’ll see us starting this year.’

He believed a team similar in style to the one that investigated euthanasia should be used.

‘Whatever we decide, it comes back to the question of legislation resources.’

The council did not think it should be a high priority.

‘Not that anyone was opposed to the principles involved, but the States has decided otherwise,’ said Deputy Morgan.

He added that the Law Officers were under a considerable strain already, despite their team expanding.