Call for Jersey's independence

A senior Jersey politician has called for the island to "be ready to become independent" in the wake of a slew of political attacks and crackdowns on its tax schemes.

Sir Philip Bailhache, the island's assistant chief minister, wants officials to begin preparations for severing links with the UK, claiming the largest of the Channel Islands was getting a "raw deal".

Strained relations have made it "very plain" there is a clash of interests, he told The Guardian. Jersey and Guernsey lost a court bid in March to stop the Treasury scrapping a loophole that let the islands sell DVDs and CDs VAT-free.