ALDERNEY States has made a U-turn in its spat with the Ministry of Justice.

Members rejected the Evidence in Civil Proceedings Law at their April meeting after the MoJ insisted a clause allowing the law to be amended locally was removed.

However, following a written plea from Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland and an impassioned speech by President Sir Norman Browse at last night’s June sitting, the States has relented.

Policy and Finance chairman Richard Willmott (pictured) said in April that the law had been amended in an undemocratic way and that the island should not pander to unelected officials in London. However, Mr Willmott reversed his decision last night after Sir Norman told the States it was wrong to reject the law. He said the States should have considered the legal implications in April, rather than claiming the law’s enactment could damage Alderney’s independence.

Sir Norman said: ‘I believe the decision you made was wrong for a number of reasons. Some members asserted their belief that the States had its rights to be a wholly independent legislature.

‘However, I think a little history is required here. The Channel Islands have never been wholly independent.

‘All our laws have had to be approved by our sovereign’s Privy Council. Because we are a small group of 2,000 adults the sovereign’s advisers have always argued that we need help and advice, whether it comes from Guernsey States or the Privy Council in the UK.’