Select a region
Alderney is at the centre of a multi-million ‘corruption’ investigation linked with a controversial power cable that generated waves of vociferous disapproval from locals.
Guernsey’s financial investigation unit are probing the deal that led EU-backed ‘FAB Link’ – a subsea cable linking France and the UK’s power grid via Alderney.
In return for allowing infrastructure on its shores, Alderney will gain £70,000 per year – but residents are alleging that private individuals are set to benefit to the tune of millions.
According to a report in the Sunday Times, lawyers sent a file on the matter to Guernsey Police last month, demanding an investigation into the circumstances of the transaction.
Pictured: Guernsey Police are currently investigating.
No one has been arrested or charged with impropriety at the present time.
The States of Alderney commented yesterday that it was “aware” of the Sunday Times report, which “made reference to allegations of impropriety on the part of private individuals who may have benefited from the FAB Link project.”
Their statement continued: “These claims are the subject of preliminary investigations by the Guernsey Police and it would not be appropriate for the States of Alderney to make any comment on the matter while investigations are being undertaken.”
At this stage, the investigation is being undertaken by Guernsey Police’s financial crime unit, but there has been speculation that the Ministry of Justice will be asked to get involved. However, this option was said to be a last resort.
A Law Enforcement spokesman yesterday confirmed to Express: "Guernsey Law Enforcement is reviewing material it has received and it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”
Pictured: A map of the proposed power cable route, which will run through Alderney. (FAB Link)
The investigation marks the third time the FAB Link project has come under scrutiny.
Running through Alderney - home to some of Europe's best tidal resources, sufficient to generate in excess of 3,000MW - the link aims to provide a future connection point to pump tidal energy across the Channel allowing for reduced bills and better energy security for Britain.
When the plan was first announced, it was met with strong disapproval from a group of Alderney residents, who held a number of public meetings on the matter and staged protests over fears the development would ruin the island’s character.
More recently, Chief Rabbi Ephrain Mirvis, as well as local historians, said they feared the FAB Link scheme would involve digging up Holocaust graves in the south of the island.
In a recent documentary exploring the Prisoner of War camps on the third largest Channel Island during World War Two, Alderney was given the name ‘Adolf Island’. The bodies of those that died there were said to be buried in the area FAB Link will be developed.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.