Guernsey's chief minister defends travel costs

Guernsey's chief minister has defended the cost of ministerial visits to the UK and abroad.

Deputy Lyndon Trott has recently travelled to London, Washington, and Gibraltar to discuss a number of issues affecting the island.

The journeys have come in for some public criticism.

But Deputy Trott told BBC Guernsey that travel was an effective way of fighting the island's corner and not a jaunt for politicians.

He said: "Anyone who thinks that engaging with the [US] Senate Sub Committee on investigations.... or the Treasury Select Committee in London is a 'jolly 'needs to think again.

"These are extremely complex and extremely arduous engagements.

"In London we engage directly with UK politicians who will often be debating and constructing policy which has an impact on Guernsey life."

In April the chairman of Guernsey's Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Deputy Bernard Floquet, said a full review of what the States spends on all travel should be undertaken.

He said the government needed to be as "transparent" as possible.