Sark becomes last British Isle to allow same-sex marriage

Sark has approved the legalisation of same-sex marriage from 2020.

The changes could become law as early as February, meaning Sark will become the last place in the British Isles to allow same-sex marriage.

The new law was approved by the Channel Island's government, Chief Pleas, on Tuesday.

Now the law change has been passed by Chief Pleas, it must go to the British Privy Council before it can come into force.

The Privy Council is expected to meet again in February after being suspended for the UK General Election, however there is no guarantee the law will receive Royal assent at their first meeting.

Once it is approved by the Privy Council it will return to Sark for final approval.

The approval of same-sex marriage was agreed in principle at a Chief Pleas meeting in October.

The chairman of Sark's Policy and Finance Committee, said that, among other things, the move would be great for tourism.

Sam Le Trobe Bateman said: "It's the perfect wedding venue. To open it up to same-sex couples is fantastic for them and fantastic for us.

"The more people we bring here, the better."

Guernsey was the first Channel Island to approve same-sex marriages in 2017, with Jersey and Alderney following suit the following year.

Elsewhere in the British Isles, Northern Ireland is due to have same-sex marriage from 13 January after a law reforming abortion and marriage law there passed Parliament in July and came into force in October.