A Select Committee established in May 2023 has appointed Richard Wright KC to undertake a review. The subject of the review, as determined by Tynwald, is the management by the Isle of Man Government of the Ranson versus Department of Health and Social Care employment case. The Select Committee will work with Mr Wright to bring detailed terms of reference to Tynwald in July.

Richard Wright KC (pictured) was called to the English Bar in 1998 and took silk in 2013. His broad practice includes criminal, regulatory and public law. He has previously acted in the Manchester Arena Inquiry and has been appointed as Counsel to the UK-wide Covid-19 public inquiry.  He is head of the largest multi-disciplinary set of Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit and has recently completed a three-year term as leader of that Circuit, guiding the profession through its response to the pandemic. He sits as a Recorder in the Crown and County Courts and is a Deputy High Court Judge. In 2022 he was appointed by the Lord Chancellor as a non-judicial member of the Sentencing Council.

Chair of the Select Committee Daphne Caine MHK said:

“I am delighted that the Select Committee, on behalf of Tynwald, has secured the services of Richard Wright KC for this important role. In him, I am confident that we have found someone with the knowledge, experience, skills and personal qualities needed to scrutinise these complex and sensitive matters and to deliver a thorough and completely independent review without fear or favour or political interference”.

Richard Wright said:

“I am grateful to the Select Committee for appointing me to complete this important review. I am determined to produce an independent and comprehensive report to Tynwald as quickly as possible. I fully acknowledge the widespread concern that that these events have caused to the public and I look forward to beginning my work.”

It was resolved on 16^th May 2023:

“i.      That a Select Committee of three members of Tynwald be established to appoint a retired High Court Judge or King’s Counsel or person of similar standing to undertake an independent review into the management by the Isle of Man Government of the Ranson versus Department of Health and Social Care employment case.

ii.       That Terms of Reference for the review should be drafted by the Committee to enable the appointment and then reviewed in consultation with the person appointed to conduct the review and brought to Tynwald for approval.

iii.      That Terms of Reference should include:

a.       the interaction between the Department of Health and Social Care, the Attorney General’s Chambers, independent legal advisers and the Cabinet Office during the full course of the Tribunal

b.       the relevant conduct of the Department of Health and Social Care highlighted by the Employment and Equality Tribunal in the liability judgement

c.       the conduct by the Isle of Man Government during the litigation process

d.       consideration of access to all documentation in the context of legal professional privilege

e.       what balance should be sought between evidence taken in public and in private

iv.      That the report from the independent review be laid before the December 2023 sitting.”

The Members appointed to the Committee were Daphne Caine MHK, Sarah Maltby MHK and Stu Peters MHK. The Committee has elected Mrs Caine as its chair.

ENDS

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For further information contact:

Dr Jonathan King
Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Finch Road, Douglas
IM1 3PW

Tel: 01624 685500
Email: enquiries@tynwald.org.im
Website: www.tynwald.org.im

21st June 2023