Phone taps - limited information supplied

Chief Minister Tony Brown is staying tight-lipped about the details of 34 phone taps in the Isle of Man.

In Tynwald, Michael MHK David Cannan wanted more information about the warrants issued under the Interception of Communications Act.

In particular, he wanted to know how many were for financial crime, drugs, political activity or other crimes on or off the Island.

But in a written reply, Mr Brown refused to give any more statistics.

Mr Brown said under the Act, he could only issue wiretap warrants in the interests of national security or for preventing or detecting serious crime.

He said Deemster Kerruish had issued the 34 warrants in 2007, and all were to tackle serious crime.

But he said he didn’t think it would be in the public interest to give any further information about the crimes themselves.

In accordance with Tynwald’s standing orders, Mr Brown declined to give any more details.