Covid: Ministers accused of keeping Tynwald 'in the dark'

Backbenchers demand greater transparency in Covid decisions

Tynwald backbenchers are demanding that they get greater transparency when debating Covid issues.

The Council of Ministers has been criticised for not releasing enough background information to members and not giving members enough time to study it properly when it is released.

Middle member Bill Shimmins says there are rumours that decisions are being made prior to the availability of the evidence to back them up:

One major contribution came from Douglas East MHK Clare Barber, who said Tynwald was being 'kept in the dark':

MHK and Former Minister Chris Robertshaw accused CoMin of 'shutting Tynwald members out' of much of the discussions on Covid.

He told the Court that there were many aspects of the virus that his colleagues had not been given the opportunity to debate.

Mr Robertshaw said things they should be talking about included borders, students and testing: