The House of Keys will have a special sitting next Monday (26th) to consider the report by the Select Committee on Action by the Cheshire Police.

In the adjourned debate on the motion of Rushen MHK Phil Gawne (pictured), the House will be asked to receive the report and approve four recommendations.

Stuart Peters reports:

(Text of attached audio)
The Select Committee report into the Cheshire Police investigation dealt with the removal of an envelope from a safe in the Chief Minister's Office, and they make specific recommendations with relation to this incident.

It's suggested that the Department of Home Affairs should report to the House as soon as possible after the General Election with specific proposals governing the right of police officers to approach members on police matters.

It's also stated that there should be clear instructions to civil servants and ministers requiring them to seek legal advice when confidential or private, official or parliamentary papers are sought by an external agency, and a call for a "thorough review" of procedures in the Chief Minister's Office to ensure that there is an adequate system for grading the sensitivity of documents and providing for their appropriate security.

The final recommendation is for the Chief Minister to remind all members of the Council of Ministers, but especially new ones, of the requirements of Section 6 of the Council of Ministers Act 1990