BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey employers are being warned not to ask for a photograph from jobseekers, despite the practice not breaking the law.

Employment lawyer Jessica Rowland says businesses should be hiring people on their suitability for the role, and not merely how they appear.

It's after a Guernsey hotel advertised a room attendant job, asking for a recent photo to be included in applications.

Mrs Rowland says: "If you're using it as a means of remembering what people look like in their interview, find another way of doing it, and if it's for any other reason, you shouldn't be doing it in the first place."

The advert in question has been re-worded and no longer requires applicants to include a photo.

Guernsey Press

An internal audit that led to former Economic Development president Peter Ferbrache’s resignation "should be released in full"., external

Guernsey Press

Sixth-form students got the chance to interact with deputies yesterday as part of an initiative aiming to increase young people’s engagement with local government., external

BBC Radio Guernsey

Nearly 200 bin sacks of litter are collected from St Peter Port Harbour every year and more needs to be done to prevent it, according to Guernsey's biodiversity education officer.

Image source, Google

Half a bin sack of litter a day is collected from the harbour every day through the summer.

Julie Henney says this "has originated directly from the surrounding area, so this means it is much easier to take action to prevent it".

The issue is being highlighted as part of World Wetlands Day, which is celebrated today., external

She said a change in the law to prevent St Peter Port retailers selling much of the polystyrene products that end up in the harbour would be a last resort.

Instead, she's called on consumers to question whether businesses need to use polystyrene packaging.

"We really want retailers to stop and think about the packaging they are using and look at the alternatives, because there are so many out there at the moment."

Pink News
Newspaper

Jersey’s parliament has voted down a law that would have legalised discrimination against same-sex couples., external

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's most senior politician believes the time is right to begin the debate on legalising assisted dying locally.

Deputy Gavin St Pier is due to lodge a political move which would see the States discuss the matter in the coming months.

Earlier this week, Deputy St Pier backed a website calling for discussion on the matter, set up by Guernsey resident Doug Wilson after his father died from Alzheimer's disease.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's government needs to wake up to the benefits of sports tourism, the chairman of Guernsey FC has again said.

Mark Le Tissier is backing the Sports Tourism Action Group, a collection of individuals that met last night with the aim of pushing the States of Guernsey to recognise the value of visiting sportsmen and women to the local economy.

But Mr Le Tissier says while Jersey is reaping the benefits of the market, external, Guernsey is losing out.

About 60 Ashford United fans travelled to see their side play Guernsey FC last weekend, the type of boost to the local economy Mr Le Tissier feels should be recognised.

"Unfortunately VisitGuernsey do not do anything to promote sport, or sport tourism. They don't recognise it, they don't seem to understand it."

A spokesperson for the Economic Development Committee, which oversees VisitGuernsey, says it is happy to meet with the group and hear their concerns and consider any changes to improve visitor numbers.

Alex Osborne
BBC Weather

A mix of sunny spells and isolated showers, with a moderate north or northwesterly breeze.

The high is 8C (46F).

BBC Radio Jersey

An equality campaigner has called on same-sex couples in Jersey to show tolerance to people who oppose them marrying.

The first same-sex couples could get married as soon as this spring, after Jersey's States approved a new marriage law.

In doing so, they rejected a "tolerance" or "conscience" clause that would have allowed businesses to legally object to providing services to couples on account of their religious views.

Image source, Getty Images

Vic Tanner Davey of equality charity Liberate said couples should not be confrontational when someone from a wedding business tells them they disagree with same-sex marriage.

"The response from the same-sex couple to that, possibly should be 'I'm sorry you feel that way, we'll go and use someone else'.

"It's a kind, it's an understanding, it's an accepting reaction to somebody who, just at this particular moment in time, can't quite get there with same-sex marriage."

BBC Radio Jersey

A number of Jersey politicians spoke yesterday on why they had changed their minds on backing a "conscience" or "tolerance" clause as part of the island's new equal marriage law.

Politicians yesterday rejected the controversial clause, which would have allowed businesses to refuse to serve same-sex couples getting married on religious grounds, something backed by members of the Jersey Evangelical Alliance and a group of politicians tasked at scrutinising the law.

St Ouen Deputy Richard Renouf said he was persuaded to rescind his support for clause by the divisiveness of the debate.

Trinity Constable Philip Le Sueur said he had a complete change of heart about his previous opposition to same-sex marriage when he thought about his grandchildren and apologised to any he may have offended in the past.

"I think that for me, the important word that has been stressed today is not marriage, it's love," he said.

Jersey Evening Post

A wine merchant which sells up to 40,000 plastic bottles of water a year has announced it is to phase out the product to help the environment., external

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Guernsey Met has issued a tide warning in place for the island's west coast this morning at 07:45.

Water and debris may spill over coastal roads and paths as a 33ft (10m) tide combines with northwesterly winds up to force seven.

The story of journalist Frank Falla, who helped British victims of Nazi persecution claim from a £1m fund.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Businesses in Jersey will not be allowed to refuse, on religious grounds, to serve same-sex couples getting married, after a lengthy debate in the States Assembly.

Final approval has been given to same-sex marriage after members voted for a new marriage law.

Legislation to support same-sex marriage was first approved in principle in 2015, but the process of drafting the law was delayed.

A draft of the law that included same-sex marriage was approved by States members in November 2017.

Image source, Getty Images

However, a "conscience" or "tolerance" clause was suggested by members of the Jersey Evangelical Alliance and a group of politicians tasked with scrutinising the law.

The clause attracted disapproval from LGBTQ rights campaigners.

The addition to the law would have allowed people to refuse to provide services same-sex marriages without fear of being prosecuted for discrimination, similar to the case of Ashers Bakery in Northern Ireland.

States members rejected the clause by 40 votes to 5.

Now the new law, which covers equal marriage, outdoor weddings, protections for those caught up in sham and forced marriages, as well as new rules on what can be included in civil marriage ceremonies, will go to the Privy Council for Royal Assent.

The vote was 42-1 and 1 abstention.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A controversial addition to Jersey's new marriage law has been rejected by politicians.

The "conscience" or "tolerance" clause, suggested by members of the Jersey Evangelical Alliance and a group of politicians tasked with scrutinising the marriage law, was defeated by 40 votes to 5.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The head of Guernsey's scrutiny body has called on the States to release in full a probe into how a law firm carrying the name of a senior politician was paid £300,000.

Speaking in a personal capacity, Deputy Chris Green called on the full internal audit review to be released on the principle of "openness in government".

"Unless there are significant legal hurdles in the way which might mitigate against full release, such reports should be made public," Deputy Green said.

Yesterday, the government's Economic Development Committee released a summary of the audit's findings, saying it adhered to the government's access to public information code.

The internal audit found no evidence of conflict while Deputy Peter Ferbrache served as economic development president. He stood down from that role when concerns about a potential conflict were raised and has also called for the findings to be made public.

BBC Radio Jersey

Politicians in Jersey will continue to debate introducing same-sex and open air marriages when they return at 14:30 this afternoon.

Politicians have spoken both against and for a so-called conscience clause within same-sex marriage laws, which would allow people to legally refuse to provide services for same-sex marriages.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey officials are asking you to help catch people who dump rubbish illegally in the island after 150 fly-tipping cases were reported last year.

States figures show the worst areas are quiet country lanes and parish bring banks.

The environmental protection team managed to find those responsible for 11 of the 50 cases reported directly to them.

Waste officer Richard Runacres is asking islanders to report any fly-tipping to the environment department.