Activist Courtenay Heading has appeared in civil court attempting to make a claim of ’misconduct in a public office’ against former health minister David Ashford.

Mr Heading believed Mr Ashford had made a false claim about the isolation of the Covid-19 virus at a meeting of the Positive Action Group in July, and claimed that Mr Ashford had said that the Department of Health and Social Care would issue a correction over this.

Deemster Corlett advised Mr Heading that ’misconduct in public office’ was not an offence under Manx law, and adjourned the case until November 17 to allow him to amend his claim or file a different one.

The activist, who appeared in court representing himself, read out a statement in which he claimed that no one, even bodies such as the US Center for Disease Control, had been able to properly isolate the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19 virus) in the blood or saliva of any human or animal.

He claimed that Mr Ashford had caused damages to the ’quality of the peaceful life’ of himself and his wife.

Mr Ashford, who did not appear in court, was defended by Solicitor General Walter Wannenburgh, who applied to strike out Mr Heading’s claim, describing it as having ’not the remotest chance’ of succeeding and as being ’poorly conceived and pleaded’.

Mr Heading had also made a second claim against Director of Public Health Dr Henrietta Ewart, which he then withdrew.

Mr Wannenburgh made a claim for £1,140 in legal costs on behalf of Dr Ewart.

Deemster Corlett determined this to be ’on the high side’, and ordered that Mr Heading pay £750, as is standard practice when claims are withdrawn.