A backbencher says she voted with her conscience against her own government department on the issue of returning residents.

Douglas East MHK Clare Barber, a member of the DHSC, voted in support of an amendment that would have allowed returnees to self isolate at home if other family members are already there and willing to isolate with them.

The amendment, tabled by Speaker Juan Watterson, was rejected by 13 votes to 10 in Tynwald last week.

Health Minister David Ashford said it would run the risk of returnees infecting those already in the household if they are positive but asymptomatic, whether they self-isolate or not.

Mrs Barber said: ’I have still not seen any clinical advice related to this decision and voted on the fact that the risk profile is the same for keyworkers, patient transfer patients and returning residents and therefore there is no discernible reason to treat them as if it is different.

’This is not, and has never been, a DHSC decision. It was a decision taken by Council of Ministers with no reference to backbenchers. I was, therefore, comfortable to vote on my conscience as I will always seek to do on all matters.’

Island residents stranded overseas when the border closed had criticised the policy of obliging them to quarantine at the Comis Hotel for 14 days after being repatriated.

That policy has now been amended to allow people to go to their own home, provided they are the only ones there.

But critics say if they do not have an empty home they can go to, they would either have to rent one at short notice or find accommodation in a holiday home or hotel.

Mr Watterson wanted to allow repatriated residents to return to their home, on the condition that the entire household self-isolate for 14 days.