Island won’t be a ‘weak link’ in pressure on Putin
Firms warned to comply with sanctions but Chief Min urged to do more for refugees
Chief Minister Alf Cannan has insisted the Isle of Man won’t be a back door route for business to dodge the sanctions imposed on Russian individuals and businesses.But he came under pressure to signal the island would go further than the UK gov in opening its doors to refugees from the war zone.
This morning he gave an update on the Ukraine crisis to the House of Keys and emphasised the sanctions imposed by Westminster also apply here. ‘We will work to ensure we are not a weak link in the international pressure on the Putin regime,’ he said.
Mr Cannan insisted the island would also play its part in support for those affected by the crisis. ‘However modest our actions may be in the global context, we will continue to play our part in international efforts to bring about peace and support those affected by the war.’
He told MHKs that financial services businesses in the Isle of Man have been told of the importance of complying with the sanctions on Russian individuals and businesses and warned them to take the ‘utmost care’ they do so, but now was not the time for ‘knee jerk statements’.
The island will mirror the UK’s visa changes to help those fleeing the war zone and is working with UK authorities to assist those in the island with affected family members. A dedicated email address has been set up for those seeking advice: ukraineguidance@gov.im
‘We will work closely with the UK to understand what role the island would have in supporting what is setting out to be a humanitarian crisis.’
Mr Cannan also confirmed Isle of Man airspace and ports are closed to all Russian aircraft and ships until further notice.
Several MHKs called for the island to go further than the UK in opening its doors to refugees without family links to the island. ‘We will be judged on our actions, not fine words,’ said Garff MHK Daphne Caine.
Outlining the Manx gov’s approach, Mr Cannan said people wanting to come to the Isle of Man had to go through UK visas and immigration. The UK has announced a relaxation of rules to allow people to bring over immediate family members.
‘The UK government has indicated this pathway is the first step in a wider range of measures to support those fleeing conflict,’ he said. ‘We will monitor the situation closely and if there are opportunities for our Island to link into and offer additional support, we will do so.’
Earlier, the Chief Minister said: ‘We stand unreservedly in support today of our friends in the Ukraine. Their courage and resolve in the face of the advancing Russian forces has been remarkable.
‘We also stand full square with the actions that are being determined by world leaders to bring sanctions against Russia and we will play a fast and speedy role in ensuring that sanctions are enforced whenever they are requested.’
As the UK is responsible for the IoM’s international relations, the IoM Gov’s approach is to keep in line with any measures that have effect in the UK.
He explained: ‘As the financial sanctions measures that have been introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine currently stand, when a person or body is added to the UK list that person or body is automatically subject to equivalent measures in the island.
‘Similarly, if the UK imposes a travel ban on a person, that person is also subject to a travel ban under the law of the island.
‘If, or when, the UK widens its sanctions measures – for example, in respect of trade with Russia – we will work to ensure that the island has the same measures in place as quickly as possible’
Officials are ‘working to understand’ Manx links to ‘Russian persons and entities’, and to understand the impact of possible further UK sanctions measures.
‘This includes – but is not limited to – our aircraft, shipping and general registries,’ he said.
‘The UK has announced that it will be bringing forward new legislation to target those who use the City of London for illicit financial gain. Our links to the UK authorities on financial crime are strong and we will continue to play our part.’
In terms of cyber attacks, Mr Cannan said the gov was ‘not aware of any current specific threats’ to the island.
Mr Cannan also revealed CoMin has allocated an ‘initial’ £500,000 and is in discussions with the Disasters Emergency Committee about its use.
