The chief minister has confirmed the removal of two rebel members of the Department of Education and Children for failing to support government policy.

Manx Radio last night reported John Houghton and Zac Hall were due to be sacked today, after they left Tynwald Chamber before a crucial vote on the future of pre-schools on Tuesday.

The pair breached the ministerial code of conduct, which requires members of a department to maintain collective responsibility - in effect, to back their minister in public, even if they disagree.

Mr Houghton and Mr Hall failed to give that support to Education and Children Minister Peter Karran, in his controversial decision to close state-run pre-schools from September.

They will be replaced by MLCs Tony Wild and Juan Turner.