Gay consent review hearings end

A panel looking at plans to lower the gay age of consent in Jersey is to hold its last public hearing on Thursday.

States members were asked in January to approve a reduction in the gay age of consent from 18 to 16, the same as the age for heterosexual couples.

They decided to delay a decision until a review was carried out into whether Jersey needed to change laws under the European Convention of Human Rights.

The review is being carried out by the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel.

Constitutional position

On Friday, the Scrutiny Panel will hear from the Solicitor General, Stephanie Nicolle, as well as Deputy Roy le Herrissier, who used to lecture on the politics and constitutional position of the Channel Islands.

After the hearing, the panel - led by Deputy Patrick Ryan - will submit a report to the States, which will then have to decide whether to reduce the age or not.

In the meantime, the island's Sexual Offences Law will remain unchanged.

In Jersey it is illegal for gay men to have sex if they are under 18, which is out of step with the UK where the age of consent is 16.