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Council of Ministers to report back on response to Sefton loans

The Council of Ministers will have to report back to Tynwald next month with their response to the legal opinion about the Sefton loans.

Members supported an amended motion from Michael MHK Alf Cannan this afternoon.

He put it forward as a matter of urgency, and called on the court to view the independent legal opinion received in respect of the loans, and the response by Council of Ministers with concern.

Last night [Mon] members received the advice from lawyer Richard Moules QC, which concluded ‘more likely than not’ both the original

£450,000 loan made in 2012 and the £1.3m cash loan given the following year were ‘ultra vires’ - ie not lawful.

The Sefton Group received a total of £4.5 million of taxpayers' money in a deal last year after claims it was in serious financial straits.

During the debate this afternoon, which lasted over two hours, it was argued that CoMIN hadn't made any response as yet and it was just the Chief Minister who had refused to accept the Economic Development Minister's resignation.

Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan's amendment calling for CoMIN to report back by July was approved.

As amended, Mr Cannan's motion was supported by all eight MLCs present, and 18 Keys members. Five MHKs voted against.

 

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