Sacked clerk before Select Committee

Former Clerk of Braddan Commissioners Charles 'Buster' Lewin was under the spotlight today, as a Tynwald Select Committee investigated the authority's affairs.

He was asked searching questions over the way land in the parish was earmarked for potential development, while he served as clerk.

Mr Lewin (pictured), who was sacked by the commissioners for serious misconduct just over a year ago, told the committee he had been open in all his dealings, and had nothing to hide.

Marian Kenny followed today's today's proceedings (text, below, from attached audio file):

Mr Lewin's statement centred on the time-line of his ownership and sale of land at Mount Rule - crucial, because a field retained by Mr Lewin was later included in the Braddan Plan, a blueprint for development.

Mr Lewin who had been approached by developers, sold the field to Heritage Homes before a review of the Braddan Plan commenced.

He advised commissioners of this after the sale, although no written record was made.

The former clerk was closely questionned over his dealing with the commissioners - he said his role was to serve the board, not to make recommendations.

Earlier, the committee heard from Henry Kennaugh, a director of developers Baccarat Ltd.
He used emotive language to assert collusion between Mr Lewin and Braddan's planning officer to promote the benefits of Mr Lewin's land to the detriment of Baccarat's interests.

(Mr Lewin is one of six candidates vying for five seats in Braddan in this month’s local authority election. The others are current commissioners Margaret Hodge, Ray Corkill, Andrew Jessopp, Kate Beecroft and Peter Halsall).