A bitter row between the Attorney General and the Island’s bugging tribunal has been exposed in a civil court judgement.

The Interception of Communications Tribunal fired the first salvo after accusing John Corlett MLC of illegally obtaining a copy of one of its reports.

But the legal war of words quickly escalated, with the AG threatening to report tribunal chairman Mark Moroney to the Island’s Law Society for unprofessional conduct.

In return, the tribunal claimed Mr Corlett was trying to intimidate it and claimed he could face prosecution under the theft act.

Jason Roberts reports:

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The row began as the tribunal considered the case of former police officer Simon Graley, who had his phone tapped during an investigation.

The tribunal considered his complaint about being bugged, but when the Attorney General and the Chief Constable Mike Culverhouse objected to its findings, the tribunal accused Mr Corlett of effectively stealing its report.

That allegation sparked a furious exchange of letters, accusations of improper conduct, threats of prosecution and allegations of intimidation.

Deemster Doyle, concluding his judgement, said the best course of action would be for another tribunal to investigate the matter afresh.