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BBC News
25-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Jersey Airport security threat came hours before evacuation
Ports of Jersey was emailed hours before action was taken about a possible security threat that led to 300 passengers being evacuated from the airport on 5 March, it has of Jersey told the external relations minister that an email detailing a threat was sent to the customer enquires email address at 23:16 GMT on 4 that email was not seen until the morning of 5 March as the account was only monitored "during the operational hours of the airport".The statement went on to say that the threat "was identified on 05 March 2025 during the standard airport opening procedures" and a decision was "taken to evacuate the terminal building". Threat assessors Passengers were allowed back into the airport after a search of the terminal had been completed and the threat was deemed to be response from the Ports of Jersey was included in a written answer from the External Relations Minister Ian Gorst to a question from Deputy Jonathan of Jersey added that: "The team activated emergency protocols. "Threat assessors conducted a thorough risk evaluation, and the decision was taken to evacuate the terminal building.""After a search of the terminal had been completed, the airport resumed operations at 11:02." Deputy Renouf, who asked the question about what date and time a communication was received, said that "a bomb threat to the airport [which] went undetected for many hours because it was received out of hours" was "deeply concerning".He said: "The consequences of failing to spot the warning could have been horrendous."As it is, hundred of passengers and staff were inconvenienced, whereas, if the threat had been assessed earlier, when the threat was received, that might have been avoided."Renouf went on to say that it was "a little short of scandalous that it is only now, under sustained questioning from the media and from politicians, that Ports are admitting that the bomb threat went undetected for many hours".When approached by the BBC, Ports of Jersey said: "We are unable to give any more details of the specifics of this threat due to laws which govern aviation security."As with any security incident, we cannot comment any further on this matter or actions taken." The BBC also approached the government but it had no further comment to make.
ITV News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Accusations of Jersey Airport cover-up after minister reveals bomb threat was missed for six hours
Jersey Airport is being accused of a cover-up after a government minister revealed that staff missed a bomb threat, eventually evacuating the terminal more than seven hours later. Deputy Ian Gorst confirmed that an email was sent to the airport's customer enquiries inbox at 11:16pm on Tuesday 4 March, but it is only monitored during operational hours - 5:30am to 9pm - so officials discovered the threat the next morning during standard opening checks. Emergency procedures were then activated and the decision was made to evacuate the entire terminal building following a risk assessment, with the alarm raised at 6:28am on Wednesday 5 March. The runway was subsequently closed, with all flights suspended and people asked to avoid the area as armed police secured the scene. After extensive checks, it was deemed to be a hoax and Jersey Airport reopened just after 11am. At the time, Operations Director Ashley Maggs described it as a "significant security incident" that staff were "taking very seriously". However, Deputy Jonathan Renouf says: "It's deeply concerning that a bomb threat was actually received the night before and not seen by anybody. "That seems to be a major security breach and failure, it should be investigated as a matter of extreme urgency. "What I find particularly worrying is that it has taken so much effort and so long to find out what has gone on. I have been asking questions and the media has been asking questions; the best solution in these circumstances is openness and transparency. Instead, it looks like we've had an attempt to cover it up." In response, Mr Maggs confirmed the minister's timeline, adding: "We are unable to give any more details of the specifics of this threat due to laws which govern aviation security. "A multi-agency response was conducted in accordance with emergency response procedures. "As with any security incident, we cannot comment any further on this matter or actions taken." ITV News understands that a police investigation into what happened is ongoing. Want the inside track on the key issues that will shape Guernsey's Election this June? Listen to Guernsey Votes, an ITV Channel podcast packed with expert guests, local insight and analysis you can trust...
BBC News
07-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Concern over Jersey's relationship with Rwanda due to conflict
Jersey politicians have raised concerns over the island's relationship with Rwanda due to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda in 2016 which aimed to strengthen relationships between the two seizure by M23 rebels of vast tracts of land in the mineral rich east of DR Congo has triggered a humanitarian and diplomatic crisis involving several neighbouring UK has suspended bilateral aid and imposed other diplomatic sanctions on Rwanda for its support of the M23 rebels. The BBC has contacted the Rwandan High Commission in London for comment. Deputy Hilary Jeune, one of the politicians who has expressed concerns about the relationship, said: "Now that we are seeing hostilities continuing within the DR Congo... I think there does need to be some reflection on that relationship going forward."Rwanda used to deny backing the M23, but recently it has adopted a more defensive line, saying fighting near the border between DR Congo and Rwanda is a threat to its security. DR Congo accuses Rwanda of illegally exploiting its mineral deposits in the east of the country, which Rwanda said she was concerned some mining companies operating in the DR Congo could have their headquarters and financial structures in Jersey and may unintentionally be contributing to the problem of conflict minerals."My concern is how much the finance industry here in Jersey is unintentionally supporting the conflict mineral trade," she said. Firms not sanctioned External Relations Minister Deputy Ian Gorst told the International and Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel there were mining companies operating in DR Congo with headquarters or financial structures in Jersey."There are no international sanctions in place on any of these companies operating mining ventures in the DR Congo connected to Jersey," he said."If the UK did look at sanction designations, then we would follow."If these Jersey headquartered structures or mining companies are operating in an illegal manner, they would be breaching their obligations in Jersey under Jersey law and they would be dealt with appropriately by the Attorney General." 'Rigorous checks' Emily Stewart, the head of policy for the transition minerals campaign at NGO Global Witness, said: "Quite a lot of the mining done under the control of these militias is done under the worst conditions using slave labour [and] child labour. "It's really incumbent on mining companies operating in the country that they are doing really rigorous checks themselves to ensure their supply chains aren't tainted by these mines, which are supporting conflict."
