The controversial issue of phone tapping by the Isle of Man authorities is back on the public agenda, after an important legal ruling.

The Attorney General and Chief Constable have won the first stage in their challenge against a ruling that the bugging of a former police officer's phone was unlawful.


James Davis reports:

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The former head of the Financial Crime Unit Simon Graley won a landmark judgement last year, over the monitoring of his phone calls while he was suspended from the force.

A tribunal overseeing the use of the Interception of Communications Act ruled that the bugging warrants - obtained by police and signed by the Chief Minister - were unlawful.

But that decision has now been successfully challenged by the Attorney General William Corlett and Chief Constable Mike Culverhouse.

In a petition of doleance they argued they not been given an opportunity to make representations to the tribunal before it reached its decision.

A lengthy judgment on the matter has been delivered by Deemster Doyle who has cleared the way for their petition - challenging the legaility of the bugging - to be heard.

The judgement is likely to raise questions about national security and individual human rights.