Row could stop future public service - committee

A row between a health committee and the health and social care minister about its remit could put people off seeking a public role in future, several current and former members have said.

A report on an independent investigation was published on Monday, which cleared Lawrie Hooper of bullying allegations made after a "fractious" meeting with the Health Services Consultative Committee.

Complaints were also lodged against Tanya August-Hanson MLC about a "heated exchange" during the same meeting, and comments made by Mr Hooper in the House of Keys on 31 October.

In an open letter eight past and present committee members said the complaint and its fallout could have been "avoidable" if the minister had adopted a more "mature" and "professional" approach.

The letter said an "acknowledgement" from the minister that the meeting could have been handled differently would have been enough to resume "constructive dialogue".

While the investigation said Mr Hooper was "not wrong" to accuse the HSCC of "lying" in its report when answering a question in the House of Keys in October, the committee said "being branded 'liars' on public record" had caused "deep offence" to the signatories.

Mr Hooper had declined an offer "to discuss the offending detail" in the annual report, the letter continued.

New regulations streamlining the operation of the HSCC were backed by Tynwald in October, but some committee members said the changes would "reduce the role to basic level observations".

That could lead to the "disenfranchisement" of the committee, which has "seriously reduced the likelihood" of recruiting members, it said.

The open letter was signed by former members Annette Baker, Andrew Cole, Sue Gowing, Mike Johnson, Louise Strickett, Judy Thornley and current members Margaret Simpson and Carol Barnford.

Six of the nine committee members have left in the last three months including the longest serving member, with the experience for some "adversely" affecting their mental health, the letter added.

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