The Island’s next Tynwald Commissioner for Administration, also known as the Tynwald Ombudsman, has been selected.

The Tynwald Commissioner for Administration is an independent officer of Tynwald, established under the Tynwald Commissioner Act 2011, whose function is to investigate and report on actions and alleged service failures of Government Departments, Statutory Boards and other public authorities in the Island. Such investigations are undertaken by the Commissioner in response to complaints by members of the public who claim to have sustained injustice or hardship as a result of maladministration.

Following an open recruitment exercise, the Selection Committee intends to recommend to Tynwald the appointment of Mr Paul Beckett. If approved by Tynwald, Mr Beckett will take up the role on 1^st November 2023 when the term of office of the present Commissioner, Angela Main Thompson OBE, comes to an end.

Mr Beckett is a senior Manx advocate with over forty years’ experience, and also serves as Chair of the Financial Services Tribunal. Commenting on his selection, he said:

“I am honoured to have been selected to serve as the third Tynwald Commissioner for Administration, and shall do my utmost to justify the trust which has been placed in me. For many years I have sat as Chair of the Financial Services Tribunal and I bring these skills to my new role: sifting evidence, analysing often complex issues, weighing up conflicting opinions and reaching firm conclusions. Above all, the Commissioner needs to be approachable and a good listener. Those bringing complaints, and those complained of, will find that my door will always be open and all will be welcome”.

The chair of the Selection Committee and Speaker of the House of Keys, The Hon Juan Watterson SHK, commented:

“The Tynwald ombudsman plays an important role in holding public authorities to account and I am delighted that Paul Beckett has accepted the nomination. In recommending Paul to Tynwald, I should also like to take this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to Angela Main Thompson for her valued contribution to the ombudsman service over the past five years.”

A panel consisting of Mr Speaker, Mrs Daphne Caine MHK and Hon Kate Lord-Brennan MHK sat on Friday 19^th May 2023 and interviewed three candidates.

The first Tynwald Commissioner for Administration was former Clerk of Tynwald Malachy Cornwell-Kelly, who was appointed on 22 November 2017 for a one-year term. During his one year of service, Angela Main Thompson was appointed as his deputy.

On 19^th February 2019 Angela Main Thompson was appointed for a period of three years. On 15^th February 2022 she was re-appointed for a period ending on 31^st October 2023.

-ends-

For further information contact:

Jonathan King
Clerk of Tynwald
Tel: 01624 685500
Email: enquiries@tynwald.org.im
Website: www.tynwald.org.im/ombudsman
Twitter: @tynwaldinfo

                                                    24 May 2023