Anti-Barclay brothers petition attracts 12,000 signatures

A petition opposing the influence of the billionaire Barclay Brothers on Sark has attracted 12,000 signatures.

It is calling on UK Justice Minister Lord Faulks to intervene to ensure the island's "peaceful and historic way of life" is preserved.

It follows years of wranglings between representatives of Sir David and Sir Frederick who live on the neighbouring island of Brecqhou, and politicians in the island's government, Chief Pleas, over a range of policies affecting the future of Sark.

The Barclay Brothers-owned Sark Estate Management owns property and land in Sark and has been vocal in its opposition to the way the government is run, and has pushed to increase democracy and openness in the face of what it sees as the outdated current system.

But Chief Pleas dispute those accusations, pointing out that Sark has moved from a fuedal to democratic system with open elections for politicians, called Conseillers.

The petition, when t reaches 15,000 signatures, will be delivered to Lord Faulks at Westminister with the specific request for him to use his power to maintain "the islanders' peaceful and historic way of life, and to honour the government's ultimate responsibility to ensure good governance of Sark."

It comes as the independent observer charged with overseeing the recent General Election in Sark, which in the end saw only 16 candidates put forward for 16 seats, is due to offer his comments on recent events in the island, including the island's administration.

Howard Knight was charged with "assessing the extent to which the December 2014 election in Sark respects fundamental international democratic freedoms and principles".