A prominent Manx nationalist has delivered a withering attack on attack on money laundering through the Isle of Man.

Greg Joughin contrasted the attitude and profile that the Isle of Man police project over some of their high profile campaigns to the low profile that is exhibited in relation to money laundering. He was speaking at the annual Illiam Dhone (Willian Christian) commemoration when nationalists gather at Hango Hill the execution site of seventeenth Manx martyr.

Delivering the oration in Manx at the ceremony Greg Joughin said:

"When a type of criminality exists, we expect corresponding laws, police divisions and the resource to deal with it.

The police conducted a campaign over Christmas (like each Christmas) against those who drink and drive. We have seen many adverts and items in the papers and on radio, and vehicles are being examined by the road-side. There are fines and even prison for those who are convicted.

Nonetheless, money-laundering accounts for most criminal money in the Isle of Man. This leads to human suffering, environmental damage and it aids organised crime but it seems that the Isle of Man police hardly spend any time on the matter. We don't see any adverts by the police about that matter and we don't hear much either. There is so much money laundering going on in the Island that there are jokes about it, like when we pull a wet note out of a pair of washed trousers.

The Treasury Minister willingly admits that money laundering is a problem in the Island and laws are expanding to say that we are combating it. But the neither the Treasury Minister, the Home Affairs Minister or anyone else in Tynwald has done much to empower the police to make use of these laws. If the police cannot give effect to these laws, then they are worthless.

But when I think of the culture of secrecy relating to companies and bank accounts and the way the Treasury allows financial to self regulate, and the way that the Treasury has made it easier to establish and maintain companies in the Isle of Man, I have a suspicion that the Treasury and the police don't want to do too much to clamp down on money laundering.

There is a small article under the title "Money Laundering" in the Annual Report of the Chief Constable who has retired now. It doesn't say much of importance and cites petty drug dealers as the chief objectives of the police."

A wreath was laid at the execution site by the Chairman of Mec Vannin (the Manx Nationalist Party), Mark Kermode, at the conclusion of the speeches.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

02/01/08

• Emmanuel Grégoire et l’abbé Macron  par David Grosclaude le 23/11/2024
• Pays de Redon. La Bogue d’or, rendez-vous du « génie populaire » par Le blog de paul Molac le 05/11/2024
• Catherine Vautrin en Corse : Régions et Peuples Solidaires appelle l’Etat à enfin aboutir sur l'autonomie par RPS le 25/10/2024
• Gouvernement Barnier : des nominations inquiétantes par RPS le 24/09/2024
• Quelle future gouvernance en France ? par Marcel Berrou le 08/07/2024
• Après deux cycles de trois ans du Parlement de Bretagne réveillé, voici venir le troisième cycle ! par KAD le 01/07/2024
• Résolution pour la Réunification de la Bretagne à la XIXème Assemblée Générale de l'UNPO à Munich, les 11 et 12 mai 2024 : par KAD le 07/05/2024
• TER Nouvelle Aquitaine : quelle honte !   par David Grosclaude le 18/04/2024
• Les Braises de la Rencontre, le 5 mai 2024, sur le parc de sculptures mémorial de MAB Koad Sav Pell ! par MAB, Musée Archipel Breton le 16/04/2024
• Koun Breizh s’indigne : Non ! les festoù-noz ne sont pas des lieux réservés aux « attardés » ! par Koun Breizh - Bertaign Tenant - Mémoire-de-Bretagne le 07/01/2024