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Former health minister issues apology following breach of Tynwald Conduct Standards

Rob Callister says he’ll continue to serve with ‘heartfelt passion’

Former health minister Rob Callister has issued an apology to Tynwald.

It follows an investigation by the Tynwald Standards and Members’ Interests Committee.

He was subsequently instructed to apologise for ‘inappropriate conduct’.

The investigation was carried out by a former House of Commons clerk and Chief Officer of Jersey’s States Assembly Dr Mark Eagan.

The Onchan MHK was dismissed from the Council of Ministers on 10 November 2022, after being in the job for just under two months.

Lawrie Hooper returned to head up the health department whilst also retaining his enterprise minister position.  Tim Johnston now holds the ministerial role for the Department for Enterprise.

Addressing Tynwald, Mr Callister said sections of the investigations outcome are ‘difficult to accept’, but he fully respects the findings, and further apologised to his constituents and the wider Manx community.

Mr Callister used the opportunity to apologise to the chief minister after previously questioning his integrity in dealing with the matter.

You can listen to his personal statement here:

In the House of Keys 15 MHKs voted in favour of the report with eight voting against including Ann Corlett, Chris Thomas, Julie Edge, Claire Christian, Rob Callister, Jason Moorhouse, Andrew Smith and John Wannenburgh. 

In Legislative Council the Lord Bishop voted against. 

The President of Tynwald accepted Mr Callister's apology saying the matter is now considered closed.

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