‘Investigation found Manx Radio manager was rude - so where's my apology?’

A veteran broadcaster has questioned why a senior Manx Radio manager has not apologised after an independent investigation found his behaviour during a confrontation at the station was ‘rude’ and ‘discourteous’.

Ex-Manx Radio host Paul Moulton said he had explicitly requested an apology from Alex Brindley, the station's director of programming, news and content, following an incident in which he was told to ‘get lost’ and leave the building.

He has also challenged the investigation itself, claiming he was never contacted or asked to provide evidence before it reached its conclusions.

The inquiry found that Mr Brindley's manner during the exchange was discourteous, but did not substantiate more serious allegations that he had been aggressive, threatening, furious or ‘incandescent with rage’.

Mr Moulton has now spoken out to question why the investigation's findings have not resulted in a personal apology from Mr Brindley.

The incident took place at Manx Radio's Douglas Head headquarters earlier this year, shortly after Mr Moulton, a former presenter and journalist at the station, recorded an interview with former MHK and veteran broadcaster Phil Gawne.

Mr Moulton had been invited to discuss his 50-year career in broadcasting but said the visit ended in an unexpected confrontation when Mr Brindley told him to leave.

Isle of Man Today previously listened to an audio recording of the exchange, in which Mr Brindley could be heard telling Mr Moulton to ‘get lost’ and that he should not be in the building.

Speaking shortly afterwards, Mr Moulton said: ‘I wish I had engaged [at the time] but I was stunned. I thought he was joking at first.’

Mr Gawne, who witnessed the incident, subsequently sent Mr Moulton an email apologising for what had happened.

In the message, seen by Isle of Man Today, he wrote: ‘Just wanted to thank you for doing that interview and apologise for the abuse you got as you left. I was shocked so I can’t imagine how you felt.’

Mr Moulton suggested at the time that the confrontation may have stemmed from his previous criticism of Manx Radio, which receives an annual Government subvention of £1.3 million as the island’s public service broadcaster.

He subsequently made further allegations about Mr Brindley's conduct and raised wider concerns about management culture at the publicly funded broadcaster.

In August, Manx Radio confirmed it had launched a formal investigation after receiving an official complaint from Mr Moulton.

He also said he had referred the matter to the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority (CURA).

The investigation has now concluded, with Manx Radio managing director Christopher Sully outlining its findings in an email to Mr Moulton, which has been seen by Isle of Man Today.

In the email, Mr Sully confirmed that the inquiry found Mr Brindley's manner during the exchange was ‘indeed discourteous’.

Witness evidence described him as ‘controlled but rude’, while an assessment of the audio recording did not support the more serious allegations about his conduct.

Mr Sully said the investigation had considered the circumstances of the incident, Mr Brindley's conduct, witness evidence, Mr Moulton's email of August 11 and his subsequent public allegations.

He said the inquiry had established that Mr Brindley's response arose against a background of longstanding concerns about Mr Moulton's public commentary on Manx Radio and personal allegations about staff.

Those concerns were acknowledged as relevant context for the exchange.

Mr Sully said: ‘Manx Radio regrets that you found the exchange offensive and acknowledges that the interaction could have been handled more professionally.’

However, he described the subsequent public characterisations of the incident as ‘unfortunate’, given that the more serious allegations had not been supported by the available evidence.

The investigation also identified shortcomings in Manx Radio's internal arrangements for managing visitors, communicating potentially sensitive visits and supporting staff.

Recommendations were made to strengthen the station's procedures, although Manx Radio has not publicly detailed them or confirmed whether any further action has been taken.

Mr Sully maintained that the response demonstrated Mr Moulton's complaint had been considered seriously and impartially.

But Mr Moulton has questioned how the investigation could reach its conclusions without seeking evidence directly from him.

He told Isle of Man Today: ‘So who was on it (the investigation panel) and why did they not speak to me but just use items broadcast on my channel - Amazing!’

He also questioned why Mr Brindley had not personally apologised, despite his explicit request for one and the investigation's finding that his behaviour had been ‘rude’ and discourteous.

Isle of Man Today has contacted Manx Radio to ask who carried out the investigation.

CURA has also been asked for comment.