Braddan Commissioners has issued a statement saying it refuses to get involved in arguments in the media with its former Clerk, Charles "Buster" Lewin.

But members felt the need to reiterate their stance given Mr Lewin's recent comments in a Manx Radio interview when he said it was the Commissioners who should be apologising to ratepayers over recent, large financial losses.

The statement maintains the local authority believes all its matters of concern, about the actions of its former Clerk, can be substantiated and evidenced.

Edward Oldham reports:

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Braddan Commissioners say Mr Lewin gave them the impression they were in profit or breaking even, when in fact there was a quarter of a million pounds deficit for the last financial year.

Meanwhile in a House of Keys written reply this week, DoLGE Minister John Shimmin said his department had reviewed Braddan's accounts and was satisfied the deficit could be substantiated.

Mr Shimmin said he was also told the Commissioners had been unaware of it because of Mr Lewin's alleged actions.

The local authority's latest statement says its board felt that although a public inquiry would be welcomed it thought this would be an unfair burden on ratepayers, given the financial difficulty they've been left in and are working so hard to rectify.