They have long been listed as the Channel Islands' wealthiest residents, but the Barclay family doesn't feature in the latest rankings.

Twins Sir Frederick and the late Sir David held the top spot in the regional version of the Sunday Times Rich List for decades.

The owners of the private island of Brecqhou, near Sark, were last listed with a near £7 billion fortune.

But they do not feature at all in the 2024 list.

Rob Watts, who compiles it, has been telling us why:

"Our 'rules of engagement' say that if we have got doubts about anyone's wealth we will remove them.  

"Their empire is, without doubt, not as financially robust as it was.”

It follows the family regaining ownership of the Telegraph newspaper in December 2023 after repaying £1.2 billion in overdue debts to Lloyds Banking Group.

In February, the newspaper reported that estate agents had been called in to sell off more than 100 of the family's properties on Sark.

Read: Bid to buy Barclay's estate

The two sides of the family have been involved in lengthy court battles in recent years.

Top spot on the CI Sunday Times Rich List this year belongs to whisky tycoon Glenn Gordon and family who live in Jersey.

The non-executive director the of group that owns Glenfiddich and Drambuie, Glen Gordon's wealth got a £1 billion boost to his bank account last year, with a total fortune of £5.6bn.

Rob Watts says their business is booming:

" A lot of us like good whisky and good spirits.  They are best-known for whisky, but they do a range of other spirits.  Whisky now has a real international appeal with strong sales in the US and the Far East."

Number two for the Channel Islands are Jersey-based Chris and Sarah Dawson, owners of The Range retail brand. Their wealth is up £475 million to £2.5bn.

Next is moneysupermarket founder Simon Nixon with nearly £1.9bn.

 Dame Mary and Douglas Pekins pictured at the 40th anniversary of Specsavers in February 2024.

Guernsey's Dame Mary and Douglas Perkins, who set up Specsavers opticians 40 years ago this year and recently opened their 1000th store, are fourth with almost £1.6bn.

Rob says they now employ thousands of people around the world:

"Dame Mary and Douglas Perkins are a classic example of where these people become wealthy because they are providing goods and services that you and I want to buy - glasses, hearing aids - they are creating thousands of jobs in the process and they are contributing a lot to the public finances"  

Despite a slight dip in his wealth, Guernsey billionaire Steve Landsdown of finance firm Hargreaves Lansdown takes fifth spot with £.16bn.

The full Sunday Times Rich List will be printed this weekend and can be found online at https://www.thetimes.co.uk/sunday-times-rich-list