GUERNSEY is lagging behind Jersey in establishing a sex offenders’ law and introducing a paedophile register.

Jersey States will debate new legislation, which would include the introduction of a sex offenders’ register, in October.

But Guernsey Home minister Geoff Mahy (pictured) said that this island’s own law was still a long way off, despite his efforts to hurry it along.

‘It is not the Home Department that is holding back from progressing the sex offenders’ law,’ he said.

Home had given the Law Officers at St James’s Chambers instruction 18 months ago, he said, and had recently issued a formal request for the law to be moved forward.

‘We have been waiting but we understand other laws have jumped the queue,’ he said.

‘We understand that while the sex offenders’ law is important, some practical laws are prioritised.’

He said after the law had been processed, Home would take it to the States to be debated.

Then the next stage could be considered.

‘I would think this will probably involve a sex offenders’ register, but whether that becomes a public one or not, I am not sure.’