Tynwald to debate tribunal review in April

Alfred Cannan will bring the report to Tynwald in April for debate

A report outlining failings in the government's handling of a whistleblower's tribunal will be debated by Tynwald in April, the chief minister has confirmed.

Richard Wright KC found the Department of Health and Social Care's (DHSC) defence lacked a "satisfactory standard of competency" during former medical director Rosalind Ranson's case.

But Mr Wright's report said while the government made errors, it had "acted in good faith".

Alfred Cannan said it would be debated at the same sitting as Kate Brunner KC's report on the government's handling of the pandemic as there were "some synergies" between the two.

An employment tribunal awarded Dr Ranson £3.19m in 2023 after ruling she was unfairly dismissed as the DHSC's medical director after raising concerns during the pandemic.

'Extremely detrimental'

Mr Wright, who was appointed to review the way the government dealt with the case, made 10 conclusions and 24 recommendations.

In his report he said the legal action had had a "devastating human impact on those embroiled in it, not least Dr Ranson herself".

In a statement in Tynwald Mr Cannan said the document would be moved for debate in April along with "an early assessment of our response" to the recommendations.

That would allow politicians "a full chance to provide their own considered views regarding the report's findings", he said.

Work would then take place to "prepare final recommendations for further action to be delivered to the Tynwald sitting in July", he said.

Mr Cannan said while he did “not want to pre-empt the debates to come”, he wanted to make the “clear point” that there was “no conspiracy” or “state sponsored bullying” involved.

“This report has make it crystal clear that the management of this employment tribunal was conducted in good faith,” he said.

During the course of the "not so edifying events" some senior officers had been "improperly and unfairly targeted for public ridicule", before the full facts could be made available due to the ongoing reviews, he continued.

He said he hoped that in light of Mr Wright's report "we can all take time to reflect that whilst there at times can be performance failings, singling out and criticising officers and politicians before the facts are made clear can be extremely detrimental to public sector morale and indeed mental health".