Governor receives Alderney States petition

Air Marshal Peter Walker represents the Queen in the Bailiwick

A petition calling for the dissolution of the States of Alderney has been passed to the Lieutenant Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

The petition was started after a vote of no confidence led to a committee chairman being force to stand down.

A spokesman for the Lieutenant Governor's office said 253 names were on the petition, but it was not clear if they were on the electoral roll.

As the Queen's representative the governor cannot intervene in politics.

Among the names used on the petition was Will.i.am, the pop star and one of the judges on the BBC One talent show The Voice.

The spokesman said: "The petition was sent to the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor, despite the fact that His Excellency's constitutional position does not allow him to take action in this instance.

"The constitutional position is clear... this is a political matter outside his mandate.

"The UK government would only intervene in the event of extreme circumstances, such as a breakdown in the rule of law or endemic corruption in the government or judiciary."

He said the governor was taking advice on the matter and any further action would not be undertaken by the office.