Government culture changes 'well underway'

Work to improve culture within the government is "well and truly underway" following a whistleblower's tribunal, the chief minister has said.

Rosalind Ranson was awarded £3.19m in 2023 for unfair dismissal after being sacked as the island's medical director while working for the Department of Health and Social Care's (DHSC).

During a Tynwald debate on Richard Wright KC's review of the government's management of the case, Alfred Cannan said a range of actions had already been undertaken to "deliver meaningful changes".

But Julie Edge MHK said without greater accountability the Manx public would "continue to bear the costs of expensive litigation".

Mr Wright's report, which made 10 conclusions and 24 recommendations, found the Manx government made errors but "acted in good faith".

The document was received unanimously by Tynwald members ahead of a full response from the Council of Ministers being brought forward for debate in July.

Ms Edge said Mr Wright's review, Kate Brunner KC's report into the government's handling of the pandemic, and the tribunal's findings highlighted "serious systemic failings that must be addressed".

She said dealing with the "lack of accountability that exists within government and the public service" would be "the catalyst to reform".

In his investigation, Mr Wright found there was a "clear conflict" for DHSC chief executive Kathryn Magson, who both had responsibility for providing instructions to the Attorney General's Chambers in defence of the claim and was also the principal witness.

During Tuesday's debate, Michelle Haywood MHK said she thought this should have been "blindingly obvious" and called for an evaluation of how widespread conflict may have been.

She said that was needed as there was a concern that the "poor practice may have been impacting on the fairness" of hearings already conducted.

Attorney General Walter Wannenburgh told the court some of the recommendations in the report which did not have cost implications were already being implemented, but others would "undoubtedly require additional resource".

He also confirmed he intended to publish a "statement of practice" setting out a number of principles to ensure any litigation would be dealt with in a "constructive and fair manner".

Mr Cannan said he had previously issued his "deepest apologies" to Dr Ranson, and the government had since strengthened its whistleblowing policies as part of a "robust response" to the tribunal's findings as part of its commitment to "positive culture change".

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