Orkney considering joining Channel Islands and Isle of Man as a Crown Dependency

Orkney councillors are looking at changing the islands' legal status - possibly joining the Crown Dependencies or becoming a territory of Norway. Credit: Jane Barlow/PA

Councillors in the Orkney Islands could be set to follow Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man in becoming a Crown Dependency.

The self-governing territories are not part of the UK and have their own governments, parliaments and legal systems.

However, they retain an allegiance to the monarchy and King Charles III as their Head of State.

Orkney officials are also hoping to explore the archipelago's “Nordic connections” as it discusses alternative forms of governance which could see the islands’ legal status change.

Council leader James Stockan has put forward a motion which says it is time for Orkney to consider other forms of governance which could provide more economic opportunity.

It suggests this could include looking at crown dependencies such as Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

A report going before a council meeting this week also mentions the Faroe Islands – a self-governing territory of Denmark in the North Sea.

Council leader James Stockan put forward proposals for Orkney to consider other forms of government. Credit: Orkney Islands Council

The council leader’s motion does not commit the council to any of these options and the officials’ report notes that any constitutional change would likely require a combination of petitions, referenda and legislation at Holyrood and Westminster.

Mr Stockan told the BBC he felt that Orkney is being "failed dreadfully" by governments in both Edinburgh and London.

He said: “We were part of the Norse kingdom for much longer than we were part of the United Kingdom.

“On the street in Orkney, people come up and say to me when are we going to pay back the dowry, when are we going back to Norway?

“There is a huge affinity and a huge deep cultural relationship there. This is exactly the moment to explore what is possible.”

The Scottish Lib Dem MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur, said he supported empowering island communities but warned there are dangers in “putting up barriers”.

He said: "I am due to meet local councillors on Monday and will be interested to learn more about what is envisaged.

"There were similar proposals considered by OIC around the time of the last independence referendum and I am keen to understand how these would differ.

"Locally, I think islanders will also want to be reassured that this exercise won’t result in council resources being taken away from the day-to-day running of services at a time when these are under real pressure."

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