The Chairman of one of the Island's highest-profile public bodies is refusing to back down in a political row over the conduct of meetings.

Manx National Heritage chief Martin Moore has drawn swords with the House of Keys in a conflict-of-interest dispute involving MHKs who are also members of MNH.

The row began after Speaker of the Keys Steve Rodan - who's also the MHK for Garff - was excluded from a Manx National Heritage debate on an issue in his constituency.

A report to Keys said Mr Moore acted 'entirely inappropriately' in excluding Mr Rodan from a trustees' meeting last year.

They were discussing a villager's request to lease a small plot of land in Laxey from Manx National Heritage.

The report said MHKs should be able to represent constituents without fear or favour - and anyway, Mr Rodan had nothing to gain.

But Mr Moore, who's taken legal advice, says MHKs on a public body cannot act in a constituency capacity - and the Keys are effectively ignoring the Attorney General's advice.

Mr Moore is now calling for a definitive legal opinion on the matter.

He says what's at stake is public confidence in the roles of public bodies in the Island.