MHK & former Health Minister found to have breached Tynwald conduct standards

Onchan MHK and former Health Minister Rob Callister has been found to have breached Tynwald standards of conduct on three separate occasions.

In November last year - after only being in the role for seven weeks - Mr Callister was sacked and replaced with MHK Lawrie Hooper.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan then referred his dismissal to the Tynwald Standards and Members' Interests Committee - with the findings of the investigation published earlier today. 

In response, the MHK has shared an open letter to his Onchan Constituents - in which he calls the report 'difficult reading.'

He adds 'I know it will make difficult reading for my family, friends and more importantly for many of my constituents in Onchan, especially when my integrity as a publicly elected Member of the House of Keys is now being seriously questioned.'

He says of the three breaches, one relates his appearance on Manx Radio’s “Mannin Line” on 12th December 2022. 

He says "Although I restricted my comments around information that was already in the public domain, the Tynwald Standards and Members’ Interest Committee felt I failed to co-operate with the investigation by appearing on the programme."

Another one of the conclusions from the investigation report says Mr Callister 'did not act in a manner consistent with the principle of honesty.'

The MHK has described this as 'deeply upsetting' and 'absolutely refutes' the claim.

He adds 'When the report is laid before Tynwald next month I could also ask for each breach of the Tynwald Standards of Conduct to be voted on separately, but that would be putting my Tynwald colleagues in an impossible position, especially when I know they haven’t had sight of the full facts of this investigation. 

I could also refuse to apologise in Tynwald next month, especially when I am being asked to apologise for something I know that I didn’t say. Unfortunately, that course of action would simply implement a suspension from Tynwald, which would remain in place until I was
prepared to apologise in a manner acceptable to the President of Tynwald.'

Rounding off the letter, Mr Callister says 'It has been an incredibly difficult few months and I genuinely want to thank everyone for
their continuing support, but I have now exhausted all available options.'

I have also been asked not to undertake any personal media interviews until after the debate and the vote in Tynwald next month, which I am happy to respect. 

In closing, I want to reassure Onchan constituents and the wider Manx Community that I have been nothing less than 100% open, honest and transparent in everything I have ever done over the past 10 years, and without fear or favour, both on a local and national platform on behalf of those that put their trust in me.'

You can read the full report here.

You can find the full letter below: