Old wounds reopened by Malarkey letter

The feud between the Liberal Vannin Party and its former member Bill Malarkey, over his decision to take a government position, has been reignited.

In a newsletter to constituents Mr Malarkey has explained why, two years after he was elected to the Keys in 2006, on a Liberal Vannin ticket, he abandoned the party.

He says he wanted to take on responsibilities with a government department.

The party has responded with a strongly-worded statement, in which it describes the South Douglas electorate as being disenfranchised by Mr Malarkey's defection.

It says he should have offered himself for re-election as an independent candidate.

Founder member of the Liberal Vannin Party Nigel Dobson says Mr Malarkey knew from the start what was expected of him: