FOI reveals extent of Covid support given to businesses linked to MHKs

DfE issues list of payments made since March 2020

A Freedom of Information request has revealed the extent of Covid support received by businesses connected to the Island's current and former MHKs.

The FOI asked for 'a list of Covid support payments made to any MHK's or
Companies they are Directors of during the Covid pandemic.'

McKenzie Fox Limited, of which Chief Minister Alfred Cannan is shareholder/ director, received a grant of £3,500 - repaid on 31 January, 2022.

Claire Christian Couture Limited, of which Douglas South MHK Claire Christian is shareholder/director, received 21,679.91 between 31 March 2020 and 20 January 2022. Mrs Christian was first elected to the House of Keys in August, 2020 in the Douglas South by-election.

£6,981.84 was paid to Onchan Park Café Limited of which Education Minister Julie Edge is named as director*.

Former Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker is shareholder in Buffalo Bowling & Leisure Ltd trading as Pepsi Max Bowl (formerly t/a Surestrike) which received £45,746.07.

Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh is listed as Director of Skunkworks Marketing Ltd (Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club) which received £18,000.

Mr Wannenburgh has since addressed the claims in a post on social media.

Between May 2020 and March 2022 £27,937.45 was paid to Irish Sea Diving and Marine Services t/a Discover Diving of which Rushen MHK Dr Michelle Haywood is Shareholder/ Director.

Since the publication of the DOI, Dr Haywood has taken to social media to address the claims:

The FOI shows, once again, that former Chief Minister Howard Quayle's holiday cottage firm received £57,000 in support.

Garff MHK Andrew Smith is a shareholder in Sefton Group which received £3.1 million during the course of the pandemic. He's also director of Churches Book Shop Limited which received £8,000.

It's estimated, since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, 29,000 grants have been distributed on the Isle of Man - totalling over £140 million.

You can view the full FOI response, submitted 28 January 2022, through here.

*The Department for Enterprise has since apologised to Education Minister Julie Edge as she had no connection to Onchan Park Cafe at the time the Covid support claim was submitted.