Tynwald to debate member's conduct following Facebook post

Concerns Kate Lord-Brennan's social media comments about a fellow MHK

Tynwald members have voted to debate the conduct of a Glenfaba and Peel MHK this week.

They will discuss the findings of the Tynwald Standards and Privileges Committee following an urgent motion from Treasury Minister Chris Thomas.

The committee had been considering a complaint lodged by Ramsey MK Lawrie Hooper, in May, about comments made on social media by Kate Lord-Brennan. 

It came after he granted permission for telegraph poles in Peel to be erected under delegated powers. 

You can find out more HERE. 

In the Facebook post, earlier this year, Ms Lord-Brennan wrote: "Not content with getting rid of the bishop’s vote Hooper has turned his wicked hand to something not quite as old, but still from the 1800’s: inflicting telegraph poles on residents.

She added that he was 'antagonistic by nature, malevolent by action'. 

Censure

Earlier this week Ms Lord-Brennan revealed she expected to be censured by Tynwald over the issue. 

While the issue had not appeared on any published Tynwald order paper it was expected that the matter would be debated by members. 

However when Tynwald began on Tuesday (21 July) Ms Lord-Brennan was not present nor had she been given leave.

It led to questions from her political colleague Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover about where she was: 

While Tuesday's sitting was underway Ms Lord-Brennan again posted on Facebook to say she had heard from the committee that it no longer planned to bring the issue to the final sitting before the election in part due to things she had said about it.

Motion

Ms Lord-Brennan returned to Tynwald today (22 July). 

With former chair of the committee Juan Watterson having been elevated to President of Tynwald it fell to vice-chair Ann Corlett to explain the committee's position to the Glenfaba and Peel MHK. 

Mr Thomas' motion called for the committee to bring forward, 'as intended', the motion and report to censure Ms Lord-Brennan before the end of the Tynwald sitting which is the last of the current administration. 

He said it was a matter of 'significant public interest' which pertained to matters of freedom of speech and Tynwald oversight of social media. 

In it he wrote: "These matters cannot be left unchallenged over the summer recess and General Election." 

Members subsequently voted to back Mr Thomas' motion, which means the committee's report and recommendations will be debated before the conclusion of this week's sitting. 

The court will reconvene tomorrow (23 July). 

Reply

Manx Radio has invited Ms Lord-Brennan to comment - we have not received a response.