The two politicians who refused to get involved in a Tynwald debate about pre-school privatisation were in clear breach of government guidelines.

Department of Education members John Houghton and Zac Hall have been accused of a ‘lack of principles’ after excusing themselves from the debate and vote - which effectively clears the way for private operators to take over state-run facilities at 12 Island schools.

The code says members have to abide by a collective responsibility for their department’s work and should publically back their Minister.

It’s a statutory requirement at least one department member supports his or her minister and that - in the public interest - the relationship should be both 'positive and productive'.

It’s understood Mr Houghton and Mr Hall voiced serious concerns about the plans behind closed doors and didn’t want to be involved in an unpopular decision but equally didn’t resign over the issue.

The question now: how can they continue to sit in the same department whose proposals they failed to support?

Indeed, should they be given the choice?

Mr Houghton and Mr Hall also breached parliamentary standing orders by excusing themselves from the Tynwald chamber for the debate, without permission from the president.