THE first contender to buy Jersey Telecom has made itself known.

Global telecoms group Cable & Wireless says it is the ‘natural candidate’ and can offer all of the services which the Island needs, both as a finance centre and a tourism destination.

The news of the telecommunications giant’s interest in the company coincides with assurances from Chief Minister Frank Walker that all 470 jobs at the company would be protected if it were sold and that any sale would have to go through the States.

Speaking in the States yesterday about the possible sale, Senator Walker said: ‘Any such proposal will come to the States for discussion.

We have a duty to inform Members in the right way and we have gone to great lengths to ensure that they are informed.

It was announced last week that Treasury Minister Terry Le Sueur believed that now was the right time to sell off the States-owned Jersey Telecom.

Politicians are due to debate the proposals in October.