Minister without portfolio resigns from post

Tim Crookall was appointed minister without portfolio in November last year

The Minister without portfolio has resigned from his position with immediate effect.

Tim Crookall MHK said he had taken the decision to stand down as he was "conflicted" over the government's North and West Area Plan and the forthcoming Transport Strategy.

It marks the second time in Chief Minister Alfred Cannan's administration that Crookall has resigned from the Council of Ministers.

MHK for Glenfaba and Peel, Crookall was appointed to the newly created role last November as part of a government shake-up, with the remit to help oversee government efficiency savings.

In a statement he said it was "with deep regret" that he was leaving the Council of Ministers due to the "rules of collective responsibility".

"I have appreciated the opportunity afforded to me as a minister, including establishing the efficiencies programme," he added.

Cannan will now oversee that initiative in his role as chairman of the Operational Performance and Change Board.

'Valued member'

First elected in 2006, Crookall was elevated to the Legislative Council in 2015, but subsequently stepped away from politics in 2020.

During his time in office he served as the Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure before becoming Minister for Education and Children.

He was re-elected at the 2021 House of Keys general election and appointed as infrastructure minister before moving to Enterprise Minister in mid 2022, a position which he held for a month before resigning.

He was appointed to head the infrastructure department again in late 2023, until Lawrie Hooper's resignation as health minister in late 2024 sparked a government shake-up, when Crookall was moved to the newly created role of minister without portfolio.

Cannan said Crookall had been a "valued member of this Council of Ministers" and he acknowledged his latest resignation with "some sadness".

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his commitment and counsel over the years and for picking up the gauntlet of driving efficiencies most recently," Cannan added.

Crookall will remain in his position as a member of the Department of Health and Social Care, the government has confirmed.