SARK Shipping has withdrawn its threat to bring legal action against Brecqhou Developments and Kevin Delaney, the head of the Barclay family’s investment in Sark, for using the Brecqhou Warrior to bring building materials to the island.

The development emerged at Chief Pleas last night in response to questions tabled by Brecqhou owners Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay.

Tenant William Raymond, a Chief Pleas-appointed director of the shipping company, said that Sark Shipping had taken further legal advice as a result of which it had emerged that the cost of such legal action could be very substantial.

Mr Raymond said that in those circumstances the company had decided to follow that advice and would not be bringing proceedings in relation to the use of the Brecqhou Warrior. The announcement led to the withdrawal later in the sitting of a proposition in the names of Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay calling on Chief Pleas to direct the company not to bring the legal action.