Former MHK and government minister dies

Martyn Quayle passed away following a fall

The former Middle MHK and government minister Martyn Quayle has died at the age of 57.

Mr Quayle passed away at a hospital in Walton overnight, surrounded by family.

He had sustained injuries in a fall a fortnight ago.

Martyn Quayle served two terms as MHK for Middle - elected at the first attempt in 2001, he gained ground in the constituency, increasing his majority in 2006.

But his career in parliament ended after a decade - in 2011 challenger Howard Quayle took the seat, pushing Mr Quayle into third place.

He served as a minister three times, after a spell in Home Affairs he was moved to Tourism and Leisure, then a department in its own right, before taking the helm at the Department of Social Care - later to merge with Health.

He left Douglas High School at 16 to enter the Civil Service, but after only a year, joined Isle of Man Farmers, starting what became a lifelong association with the industry.

Mr Quayle became the firm's managing director, stepping down after his election to the Keys, but retaining close links with young farmers groups and the Manx National Farming Union. 

His other community interests ranged from membership of the World Manx Association to Marown Football Club and Crosby Silver Band.

A serious car accident in Scotland 2004 left Mr Quayle with two broken legs and a long and painful recovery from his injuries. 

His ministerial career began in his second term in the Keys.

President Steve Rodan has described him as a well liked and popular Tynwald colleague, an effective parliamentarian, and a good minister who will be much missed by his many friends and former Tynwald colleagues.