MHK: "I am not going to be shut down by political shenanigans" 

Politician accuses committee of 'tying itself in knots'

Glenfaba and Peel MHK Kate Lord-Brennan has accused the Tynwald Standards and Privileges Committee of ‘tying itself in knots’ over plans to censure her.

She’s claimed a forthcoming motion about comments she made about Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper, over telegraph poles in her constituency, is being delayed.

It was understood it would be discussed in Tynwald this month - the final sitting of the current administration - but Ms Lord-Brennan says instead the committee has decided to ‘drag it out’.

She had previously criticised Mr Hooper after he granted a planning appeal to install the poles for the fibre rollout branding him ‘antagonistic by nature and malevolent by action’.

It led to a complaint from Mr Hooper to the committee; you can find out more HERE.

'Censorship and cancel culture'

Yesterday (20 July) Ms Lord-Brennan said the ‘public at large should be concerned’ about what the committee’s conclusion and approach means for freedom of expression on the Island.

In a post on her constituency Facebook page she wrote: “We are heading towards censorship and cancel culture and already experiencing selective and subjective determination as to what is okay to say and what isn't and who is first or is motivated to complain."

Now Ms Lord-Brennan claims she is also at risk of a further breach of conduct for ‘speaking up’ on social media about the situation.

The MHK says she was updated by the Clerk of Tynwald last night on behalf of the committee.

Sharing an excerpt of the email, she was sent, she posted:

“The committee is concerned that your Facebook post of today’s date could be a contempt of Tynwald and a breach of paragraphs 45 and 53 of the Code of Conduct.

“The committee has decided that these concerns need to be investigated before any report is made to Tynwald.

“As today’s post includes allegations against the committee itself the committee has decided that it will be necessary to refer the entire matter to a politically impartial acting Commissioner for Standards to report after the General Election.

"Accordingly no report will be published until then.

“Under paragraph 53 of the code no comment should be made in public until the commissioner’s investigation has been completed and its outcome is known.”

In reply to the Clerk of Tynwald Ms Lord-Brennan wrote: “I am not going to be shut down by Tynwald process, political shenanigans and a process that leaves me defenceless.

“As I indicated to you there was clearly no point in responding in writing to the committee regarding their report as the committee had already decided its course of action."

'Silencing'

In a social media post today (21 July), which she has restricted comments on, Ms Lord-Brennan added: “Of course this is a further silencing move both for now and over an election period and a period where no one holds the role of MHK.

“It also does not bode well for openness of process or political expression and communication.

“Also the rule is not being applied fairly as the committee’s investigation had already been completed and I was already aware of the outcome: a last-minute move for a parliamentary censure, facilitated and planned due to certain votes and roles in play.

“It is the committee itself that should be scrutinised not me for single post and letter and “expressions used” in them.” (Sic)

Submission

She’s also posted her ‘full submission’ to the committee, following the original complaint, which you can read HERE.

Ms Lord-Brennan says she stands by the words she used to describe Mr Hooper saying she believed his decision making had been ‘carried out in that way’.  

In her submission she added: “The man or woman on the street would simply conclude that Mr Hooper can give it but he can’t take it.

“It is rare that anyone calls him out.

“I have done so but in doing so, given his track record, given his general disposition and the fact that we are often on opposite sides of the argument or vote, it is no surprise to me that he has reported me to your committee.”

Missing

Ms Lord-Brennan has not attended the final sitting of the current administration of Tynwald despite her presence being expected.

It meant that she did not get to vote on the election of the new president of Tynwald this morning.

Juan Watterson was elected to the role; he was the former chair of the Tynwald Standards and Privileges Committee.