Education chiefs would consider taking action against someone who directed false accusations at a teacher.

Jason Moorhouse (MHK for Arbory, Castletown and Malew) sought the assurance from Education Minister Graham Cregeen, tabling a Tynwald question to find out if, when a teacher was exonerated from accusations of bullying, victimisation or harassment, the accuser could face action.

Mr Cregeen told him the Department of Education, Sport and Culture followed the government policy guidelines when dealing with claims from employees.

He added: ’We have a duty of care to all our staff and all complaints about bullying etc will be assumed to be made in good faith.

’The only time any action would be taken against a person making the allegations would be if they were to be considered to be malicious - an unreasonable complaint made with ill intent.’