Minister apologises over care contract statement

The Treasury minister has apologised for misinforming Tynwald about a conflict of interest which arose during a tender process for child care contracts.

It emerged during the process that an individual on the committee awarding the contracts held a directorship with a charity which was also bidding for government work.

Although the organisation's tender was not successful, one contract lot was withdrawn due to the breach of rules governing public service procurement.

During a series of questions on the issue today (20 Jan) Eddie Teare said the issue was first brought to the government's attention by Treasury, not the Children's Centre.

He has since circulated a clarification letter to Tynwald members, admitting the issue was identified by the Children's Centre, which lost several care contracts to the St Christopher's Fellowship.