The Promoter of the Peel Bay Festival is calling for the resignation of the Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Adrian Earnshaw, MHK.

Jonathan Irving says he is sure Mr Earnshaw has 'some attributes', but claims they are 'not in tourism.'

He goes on to say: 'It is too late now for the Peel Bay Festival, but tourism is too important to a diverse Manx economy to just let it hit the rocks, which is where it is heading.'

Mr Irving says he's intrigued that Mr Earnshaw is quoted in the Manx Independent as saying he is 'actively pursuing leading acts' to hold a Department of Tourism and Leisure festival in the Villa Gardens for 5,500 people. This, despite the fact he refused to underwrite the Peel Bay Festival to the tune of ?250,000.

Mr Irving can't understand why the minister won't support a limited guarantee, where the bulk of the risk is still borne by the private sector but is now, bizarrely as he sees it, prepared to open the taxpayer up to an unlimited liability which, Mr Irving says, could be over ?1 million.

He finishes his statement by saying: 'I believe Mr Earnshaw is hindering the development of tourism through a total lack of imagination, clarity and direction.' He says Chief Minister Tony Brown should act now before the decline becomes terminal.

Last week Mr Earnshaw said he wasn't disappointed by Tynwald's decision for a possible link between his department and the Peel Bay Festival organisers to be re-examined. However, Mr Irving has since scrapped the event, citing a lack of support from Mr Earnshaw and Chief Minister Tony Brown.

(Picture: Jonathan Irving, from streetheritage.com).