Shetland island breaks away from UK, EU

While politicians wrestle with Ireland's future in the EU, the owner of one Shetland island is certain: he wants out.

Stuart Hill, sole owner and resident of a 2.5 acre island off Scotland, declared his independence from the UK this weekend, saying he wanted the territory to be a crown dependency like the Channel Islands.

He named the island Forvik in honour of the Shetland's Scandinavian past.

Mr Hill, also known as 'Captain Calamity', cited a centuries-old royal marriage dowry deal between King Christian of Denmark and King James III of Scotland as the basis for his claim.

'(Forvik) recognises neither the British government, nor the European Union as its superior. Because of Shetland's unique history, there can have been no legal basis for Shetland to have been involved with either,' Mr Hill wrote on his website.

The 65-year-old has lived in the Shetland Islands since 2001 when his boat capsized there during an unsuccessful attempt to circumnavigate Britain.

While he has been living in a tent on the storm-battered island, he plans to create Forvik's own currency (1 'gulde'=price of gold x 0.13), print his own stamps and raise his own flag (right), according to his website.

'There will be no income tax, VAT, council tax, corporation tax, or any of the other taxes instituted by the British government,' he added.

According to Mr Hill's studies of the history of the island, in 1669 King Charles II re-confirmed Shetland's status at the time of the pawning, meaning the islands remained directly answerable to the crown.

'The monarchs and governments of Scotland, and Great Britain and the United Kingdom have for many years assumed powers over these islands of Shetland to which they were not entitled,' he wrote.

'By declaring Forvik a crown dependency I am simply re-establishing the correct legal relationship between this part of Shetland and the crown.'

Mr Hill said he had written to the Queen offering his services as 'steward' and recognising her as head of state.

'I also invite anyone from any country in the world, who supports these aims, namely to become free of liars, thieves and tyrants in government, to become a citizen of Forvik,' he added.

Citizenship forms are available on his website where he says he has been 'swamped' by the response. One square metre land plots will be available once he gets 'a safe landing area'.