Minister's conduct report will be published despite claims it would be 'unintelligible' 

Chief Minister had told MHKs to use the FoI process themselves if they wanted access to it

The chief minister appears to have done something of a U-turn over the publication of a report into whether the health and social care minister breached the ministerial code.

That’s despite claiming, earlier this week, the document would be ‘unintelligible’ if released.  

Alfred Cannan had been urged to release the results of the ‘independent investigation’ into Lawrie Hooper’s conduct towards the Health Services Consultative Committee.

Last year the regulatory body accused the DHSC minister of subjecting the panel to an ‘hour-long rant’ over its annual report.

You can find out more HERE.

The row sparked resignations by HSCC members and two complaints were subsequently made to Alfred Cannan about Lawrie Hooper and departmental member, and MLC, Tanya August-Hanson.

Following an investigation which cost ‘a few thousand pounds’, and which was conducted by a member of the Manx bar, Mr Hooper was found not to have breached the ministerial code.

The report was provided to Mr Cannan in January.

In the House of Keys this week Onchan MHK Julie Edge and Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas were among those who wanted to know when the findings of any reports would be published:

But the chief minister’s answers didn’t placate Ms Edge, the former education, sport and culture minister, who Mr Cannan dismissed from his Council of Ministers in February.

He told his fellow politicians he doubted ‘the value’ of publishing the document and told them to request it via the Freedom of Information process themselves if they so wished:

However late last night (13 March) the chief minister appeared to change his position saying he will now publish the report into the investigation he commissioned. 

In a statement he added: "The report will be published in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and personal data that has been provided by witnesses will be redacted to protect their privacy." 

No timeframe has been provided for when the report will be released. 

Manx Radio has invited Mr Cannan to comment.