Minister reads out anonymous letter at briefing
The health minister says testing staff have told him they've been left 'demoralised' by 'ill-informed comments' in the media.
It follows the high-profile discontent about testing policy voiced publicly by Dr Rachel Glover, who resigned earlier this week.
Dr Glover was one of the lead scientists behind the Island's Covid-19 testing lab, who clashed with ministers on social media.
David Ashford was asked for his initial reaction to her resignation at this afternoon's government media briefing, and why he thought the situation had reached this point.
The minister previously said he was 'saddened' by the news.
Today, he read out an anonymous letter, reportedly from those working in the testing centre:
Mr Ashford said he wasn't blaming the media, just "providing balance."
He was subsequently challenged by Paul Moulton of Isle of Man Television:
You can watch the full media briefing here:
Dr Rachel Glover has responded on Twitter:
Who write anonymous letters these days anyway? Am I back at high school? The hospital lab have been in touch and they’re all mortified and have said it’s not representative of any of their views.
— Dr. Rachel Glover 🇮🇲🧬 (@rachomics) October 30, 2020
And then said this:
More emails from the microbiology lab staff coming in now to send their support and to make sure I’m OK. They’re horrified that anyone would write such a letter, let alone it get read out. One email from the team made me well up it was so lovely 🥺
— Dr. Rachel Glover 🇮🇲🧬 (@rachomics) October 30, 2020
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