There is nothing untoward about why the latest audit of government accounts will be completed later than usual, Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan has insisted.

Mr Cannan told Tynwald that the audited accounts for 2018-19 were due to be laid at the January sitting.

But Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) said the accounts were usually submitted in October, or November at the latest.

Mr Cannan said: ’There is absolutely no undue reason, except that this year is the final year of an audit contract with KPMG and there is a need to ensure that the accounts are ready for an appropriate transition to the new auditors.’

That meant KPMG had sought additional information from the government.