Health minister sacked from CoMin

Lawrie Hooper returns to health alongside enterprise

Rob Callister has been sacked as the Island's health minister.

The Onchan MHK has been in the job for just under two months having been appointed to the Council of Ministers on 16 September.

The former health minister, and current enterprise minister, Lawrie Hooper has been announced as his replacement - the reasoning behind the decision is being put down to his previous experience.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said: "The DHSC and our health and care sector, more broadly, are facing a set of complex challenges.

"After a number of discussions in recent days on these operational and political challenges I have reluctantly concluded that the DHSC needs a different approach at this critical juncture.

"I want to thank Rob for all the positive work that he has undertaken during the course of this administration. 

"He has had to deal with a number of significant challenges in the past twelve months including managing the post COVID return of the TT and MGP, supporting the Visit Agency in developing their new strategy and maintaining stability of electricity pricing as chairman of the Manx Utilities Authority.

"I expect that Rob’s hard work, experience and drive will see him back contributing in the near future."

A short time after this statement was released Mr Cannan spoke to Manx Radio's Sian Cowper: