Complaints procedure has been 'weaponised' says MHK

"We've got to be good democrats" says Thomas

A Douglas Central MHK who led calls for Tynwald to discuss a censure motion this week says the current complaints procedure has been ‘weaponised’.

Chris Thomas successfully lodged his motion of ‘urgent public importance’ during the final sitting of the current administration.

It called for the Tynwald Standards and Privileges Committee to bring forward its motion and report to censure Glenfaba and Peel MHK Kate Lord-Brennan before the end of the July court.

He argued that the matter was of ‘significant public interest’ and pertained to ‘matters of freedom of speech and Tynwald oversight of social media’.

‘Malevolent’

The committee had launched an investigation after two complaints were made about Ms Lord Brennan’s conduct by Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper and Douglas East MHK Clare Barber.

It followed a series of planning decisions made by Mr Hooper under delegated authority from Mrs Barber - the environment, food and agriculture minister - about telegraph poles in Peel.

In a post on Facebook on 22 May Ms Lord-Brennan had described Mr Hooper as being ‘malevolent by action’, talked about his ‘deviant decisions’ and said he had a ‘wicked hand’.

She also wrote a letter to Isle of Man Newspapers discussing the same.

Mr Hooper, in his complaint, told the committee he considered the language on the post ‘abhorrent’.

He added that it had contained ‘serious and unfounded allegations and attacks on his character’.

Committee

The committee said members of Tynwald must:

• treat other Members of Tynwald as honourable members
• attempt to resolve any difficulties by mutual agreement
• not take a hostile or demeaning approach to other members
• not make unfounded allegations of misconduct
• not bully or harass other members or continue with any kind of behaviour that is offensive to other members

It added that members must not use social media, email or any other online activity/forum to bully, harass or otherwise treat another person in a way that could breach workplace and community standards or the rules and practices of the chamber.

Finding Ms Lord-Brennan had breached Paragraph 45 and Paragraph 18 of the Code, in relation to the comments about Mr Hooper, the committee concluded:

“To call another member ‘malevolent’ or ‘wicked’ is to cast a reflection on that member’s character. To accuse another member of weaponising planning applications, or of hijacking and abusing authority, is an imputation of improper motives.” - Tynwald Standards and Privileges Committee

The committee did not uphold the complaint made by Mrs Barber.

A counter-complaint made by Ms Lord-Brennan about Mr Hooper was ‘unanimously dismissed’ by the committee.

Submissions

Detail from Ms Lord-Brennan's submissions, including emails to the Clerk of Tynwald, have been released as part of the report. 

In one, on 27 May, she complained about Mr Hooper’s own social media conduct writing he was 'a regular on social media criticising and maligning all and sundry'. 

'To censure or not to censure'

In conclusion the committee called for ‘some sanction’ to be applied on Ms Lord-Brennan saying: “Our judgment is that the gravity of this particular breach merits a censure by Tynwald.

“If supported by Tynwald this penalty would not result in any suspension or requirement to withdraw words or apologise for them.

“It would, however, signal Tynwald’s support for its own Code and its disapproval of the conduct found to be in breach.”

However following a lengthy debate in Tynwald on Thursday (23 July) members ultimately voted against censuring Ms Lord-Brennan.

They did vote to receive the report of the Tynwald Standards and Privileges Committee.

During the debate Ms Lord-Brennan argued the process was flawed and that the new rules governing members' social media conduct were being interpreted too widely.

You can find out more HERE.

Speaking after the debate Mr Thomas told Manx Radio he believed the committee’s report had come to the ‘wrong conclusion’.

He added he believed Tynwald’s decision to make changes to standing orders made it less easy for members to use ‘politically robust language’ when discussing each other.

“We can’t have a weaponised complaints process member on member.

"We’ve all got to have good behaviour but, ultimately, we’ve got to be good democrats and we’ve got to be good representatives.” - Chris Thomas MHK

Mr Thomas says he believes behaviour needs to be sorted out in the next administration:

‘Hurling abuse’

A day after the debate in Tynwald Mr Hooper returned to X to accuse Ms Lord-Brennan of ‘hurling abuse at others with no consequences’.

He added: “Every member of Tynwald who has enabled this behaviour trying to curry favour with the chief minister should be ashamed of yourselves.”

After hurling abuse at others with no consequences, Ms Lord-Brennan is now making accusations & threats against a member of the public

Every member of Tynwald who has enabled this behaviour trying to curry favour with the Chief Minister should be ashamed of yourselves.

— Lawrie Hooper MHK (@LawrieHooper) July 24, 2026

It led to a conversation between Mr Hooper and Onchan MHK Rob Callister who told the Ramsey politician he wasn’t doing himself ‘any favours’.

In response Mr Hooper said: “I hope the voters throw out those of you who have decided to ignore any sort of standards for MHKs.

“The fact that with this attitude you think you’ll be the next CM (Chief Minister), going around offering people jobs already, is absolutely hilarious.”

The accusation was refuted by Mr Callister:

That is simply isn’t true.

Having the ambition is not the same as going around offering jobs which simply isn’t true.

You and I both know who is likely to be Chief Minister in October, and it will be neither you nor me.

— Rob Callister - MHK for Onchan (@robcallister) July 24, 2026

Mr Hooper responded: “Shocking to hear you accuse multiple MHKs of spreading false news!

“It’s been openly discussed for ages and it’s about as well kept a secret as the affairs of certain other members.”

Election

Mr Thomas is running for re-election in Douglas Central in September’s General Election.

The other candidates standing in the constituency are Ann Corlett, Peter Shimmin and Devon Watson. 

Mr Hooper is running for re-election in Ramsey.

The other candidates standing in the constituency are Robert Cowell and Juan McGuinness. 

Mr Callister is running for re-election in Onchan.

The other candidates standing in the constituency are Gabriella Corkish, Julie Edge, Rachel Glover and Oliver Lockwood.

Manx Radio has invited Ms Lord-Brennan to comment on proceedings this week- we have not received a response.