As many senior government officials return to work this morning (Monday) following the festive break, anger is growing over the decision not to award a number of government child care contracts to a long established Manx organisation.
The Children's Centre lost several contracts with the Department of Social Care, in a competitive tender process just before Christmas.
They were instead awarded to St Christopher's Fellowship, a UK-based organisation which is registered as a charity in the Island.
It's since emerged a civil servant involved in the decision-making process was a director of another charity bidding for work.
That has angered a number of MHKs and members of the public who have signed a petition and are now calling for the decision to be halted before the contract between the department and St Christopher’s is signed.
Douglas South MHK David Cretney has asked for the awarding of care services contracts to be put on hold to allow the procurement process to be reviewed, while it’s also understood a number of politicians feel so strongly they have considered trying to recall the House of Keys early from its Christmas break to debate the matter.
Chief executive of the Children's Centre, John Knight, wants to know if all parties involved, bidders and civil servants, declared conflicts of interest.
He says the Children's Centre filled in the forms as required, but he has not been reassured others did the same.
He says there are three possible explanations:Clip 1