There’s speculation over the fate of Education Minister Peter Karran this morning after he defied the ministerial code and voted against the government over plans to buy a stake in the UK’s biggest film studio.
Yesterday, Tynwald voted 24-8 to approve the deal which costs ?24 million and would see Pinewood Shepperton manage the Island’s ?25 million media development fund.
Mr Karran made an impassioned speech opposing the investment, arguing members did not have sufficient financial information to make a decision on what he and the Liberal Vannin party regard as a risky investment.
However Chief Minister Allan Bell told the court Mr Karran had voted in favour of the Pinewood plan at Council of Ministers, and did not raise objections at that point.
That breach of the ministerial code could result in Mr Karran being sacked from govenrment.
During a fierce five-hour debate in the court, Mr Karran's objections were described as a ‘resignation speech’ by Michael MHK Alf Cannan and as a ‘political suicide note’ by Middle member Howard Quayle.
Mr Karran explained why he wouldn’t vote for the motion:
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