The Post Office has refuted a claim from Leonard Singer MHK that he was asked to leave a board meeting.

Mr Singer resigned as vice-chairman of the Post Office board on Saturday after a protest march against the closure of the Parliament Street branch. Whatever the outcome of ongoing talks, the board has emphasised its commitment to continuing postal services in Douglas and Ramsey.

This is the statement from the board in full:
'Isle of Man Post Office refutes all claims that Mr Leonard Singer MHK was asked to leave a Post Office Board meeting and that it has in any way acted improperly.

'Mr Singer MHK, then Vice Chairman of the Post Office, attended a Board meeting on 27/11/14 at which he declared his position as Ramsey MHK but stayed in for the duration of the Board meeting.

'He also attended the Board meeting on 15/12/14 where the Post Office conversion project was included on the agenda. Mr Singer accepted that his publically stated constituency position caused him a conflict of interest in this discussion and elected to withdraw from the meeting for this item. At no time was Mr Singer asked to leave the meeting.

'All Board members share the collective responsibility of the Board for the control and management of its business. The Board strives at all times to operate to the highest levels of corporate governance in the ways it conducts its affairs.

'In addition to the above, Isle of Man Post Office wishes to state that it has, to date, not received any plans from Mr Singer to save the Ramsey and Douglas Crown Post Offices including his suggestion, made to the press, of increasing postage rates for all Island residents.

'Isle of Man Post Office continues to work to the motion set down by the House of Keys on 2nd December 2014 and in doing so has delivered information to and answered questions from the relevant interested parties. This information allows these parties to identify some alternative options for achieving the necessary savings and to put proposals forward should they decide to do so.

'As the Chief Minister has confirmed, the Cabinet Office is assisting in the exploration of alternative solutions.

'The Board looks forward to receiving alternative proposals, ahead of the closing date on 2nd March, which identifies alternative options for achieving the necessary savings.

'Whatever the outcome, the Board is committed to continuing postal services in both Douglas and Ramsey town centres.'


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