The Chief Minister did not share with other members of the cabinet a damning conflict of interest report concerning two government Ministers.

Former Minister John Shimmin and current Minister Laurence Skelly were found to have failed to declare an interest in a planning application.

But the 2017 report by Angela Main-Thompson OBE was not made public until a Freedom of Information request three years later.

In Tynwald last week, Chris Thomas (Douglas Central) asked the Chief Minister when he had shared the report with Ministers responsible for planning matters and CoMin.

In a written reply Mr Quayle said he had received a copy of the report in March 2017.

He said: ’Given the nature of the report it was not appropriate to have shared such with the then Minister for Policy and Reform and the Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, or the Council of Ministers.

’The report was a matter for myself, as Chief Minister, and the Ministers concerned.’

Mr Quayle said the main ’output’ of the report was to ensure any future declarations of conflict and/or interest were declared and dealt with at an early stage. He said since June 2017, Ministers at the start of each CoMin meeting have had to confirm whether they have a conflict and/or interest in relation to any item on the agenda.

The allegations in the report focus on a 2015 planning application by Meary Voar Developments (15/00124/B) for a swimming pool, gym, spa and staff and office accommodation at Meary Voar, Santon.

The application was supported by Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly and his predecessor John Shimmin.

The proposals went to public inquiry but the inspector recommended refusal.

CoMin nevertheless approved the proposal at a meeting in September 2015. Neither Mr Shimmin nor Mr Skelly withdrew despite their having lobbied for it previously.

The meeting was held to be inquorate and the matter was considered by CoMin again in May 2016 when Mr Shimmin and Mr Skelly recused themselves, declaring a conflict of interest.

Both deny knowingly failing to declare an interest.