Shoebox appeal can use trains - minister

Gawne says charity must distance itself from president's remarks

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne says Santa can use government trains to deliver shoeboxes to underprivileged children – if the charity involved distances itself from its president’s remarks.

In the House of Keys this week, Mr Gawne faced questions over the charity, which collects shoeboxes of gifts at Christmas to send to other countries.

Douglas East MHK John Joughin asked whether the department had refused to let the charity use the steam trains this year for its annual collection.

Mr Gawne said some changes to rules had been made to ensure the government isn’t helping charities which can offend people – and said anti-Islamic comments by its president Franklin Graham had caused concern: