North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson has been sacked from his position within Isle of Man Treasury, because of a 'breach of trust'.
A statement from government says a recommendation from the minister, Eddie Teare, that Mr Henderson be removed as a departmental member has been accepted by the Council of Ministers.
It goes on to quote Mr Teare as saying he no longer has confidence and trust in Mr Henderson as a member of Treasury, and he cannot continue to work with him.The dispute centres on Mr Henderson’s stance on tuition fees.
While he’s criticised the Council of Ministers’ decision to sack him, he says he’s not surprised.
Mr Henderson says his position was pre-declared in his election manifesto and his public commitment to the continued funding of student tuition fees was well documented.
He says his sacking for refusal to ‘tow the party line’ illustrates the ‘current dictatorship pervading in the Council of Ministers’.
While aware the cost of fully funding the student awards, Mr Henderson goes onto say there are many others ways government can achieve savings without targeting young people, their futures and their families.
‘Student Awards is easy prey to pick off,’ he went on. ‘This sends a clear message to all Members of Tynwald – do what you are told, you are not free to express yourselves and if you do you will pay for it.’
