‘States must keep a share in Telecom’

Thursday 25th October 2007, 12:00AM BST.

HEALTH Minister Ben Shenton has broken ranks with his ministerial colleagues by moving to preserve a controlling interest in Jersey Telecom as a strategic asset for the Island.

He has lodged an amendment to the Treasury Minister’s proposal to sell the phone company in its entirety, arguing that Islanders’ future and strategic interests are best served by preserving a 51 per cent share. The proposal to sell the firm in one chunk to an established international operator is due to be debated on 20 November, although Scrutiny are pushing for a delay.

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