PAG calls for Conflicts of Interest Act

In a hard hitting submission - to the Tynwald Select Committee investigating the involvement of the Braddan Parish Commissioners, and their former Clerk, CS Lewin, in the decision to withdraw the draft Braddan Plan - the PAG highlights several Tynwald Committee investigations, over the past 10 years, that have touched upon this very issue.

The submission refers to the 1996 Pilling judgement of Deemster Corrin, in respect of an earlier planning dispute involving the Department of Local Government & the Environment, a planning officer and a member of the public; and the ensuing Tynwald Select Committee recommendation which sets out clear guidance, on the subject, for members of the public service.

The Ramsey Post Office and the Arthur Radcliffe land zoning ‘Affairs’ are also referred to in the submission.

PAG say that they do not wish to pre-empt the outcome of the work of the committee but “urge the Committee to be bold and to set out specific recommendations that aim to restore the public’s confidence and credibility in our system of Public Service Administration.”

The submission continues: “Such recommendations need to be based upon establishing as pre-eminent the principle of impartial and unbiased “Public Service” by laying down clear and effective rules and procedures to enable its insidious enemy “Personal Self-Interest” to be openly confronted and punished.”