Loses almost £12,000 extra for job
First he was suspended from Tynwald – and now the MHK at the centre of a bullying row has been suspended from his department. The Council of Ministers says North Douglas member John Houghton has been suspended as a member of the Department of Infrastructure. On Tuesday, Tynwald members voted to demand an apology after a report found he’d bullied a member of the Clerk of Tynwald’s office. However, Mr Houghton refused – and so has been banned from the precincts of Tynwald until he changes his mind. Today, the Council of Ministers said it had suspended Mr Houghton from the DoI – he'll lose the extra £11,863 on top of his basic MHK salary of £39,546 for his role in the department. Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne says he’s spoken to the wayward member to explain he can’t continue as a member of his department. Mr Gawne says a key part of the role is supporting legislation passing through Tynwald and its branches – something Mr Houghton can’t currently do. But he says if Mr Houghton does apologise, then CoMin will consider reinstating him.
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