A heated debate is underway in Tynwald over whether Peel and Glenfaba MHK Kate Lord‑Brennan should be formally censured for breaching the Members’ Code of Conduct.
Members agreed yesterday (July 22) to bring forward the Standards Committee report, which recommends censure following comments Lord‑Brennan made on Facebook about a planning matter and language interpreted as referring to Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper.
The dispute escalated this week after concerns were raised about how the committee initially handled complaints linked to the exchange, prompting calls for the matter to be resolved before the end of the sitting.
Calls For Independent Process
Julie Edge MHK said the situation “weighs heavily”, arguing the process had become “not right and isn’t fair”. She warned that the committee was now “conflicted” and said future cases must be handled through an independent process.
Rob Callister MHK, reflecting on his own past investigations, said any sanction “you can feel it for a long time”, urging members: “Do not leave this hanging over a member. Sort this out tonight.”
Tim Glover MHK said “words have consequences” and that clashes were inevitable in a chamber of “34 egos”. He cautioned that policing social media would be “a swamp” and called for clearer rules and training at the start of each administration.
Ms Lord‑Brennan repeatedly pressed for clarity on whether she remained under further investigation, saying the process was “a mess” and “entirely unfair”. She argued the handling of the complaint raised wider issues of free speech and democratic accountability.
Committee vice‑chair Ann Corlett MHK confirmed the Standards Committee had “not had a chance to discuss” whether additional investigation was required.
Chris Thomas MHK said the situation had become “an embarrassment for parliament”, questioning why counter‑complaints referenced in submissions had been excluded from the final report and warning the system was “losing legitimacy”.
