The House of Keys has rubber-stamped the appointment of Dr Jonathan King to be its new secretary.

Dr King is due to become clerk of Tynwald in September and the role also includes the position of secretary to the House of Keys and counsel to the speaker. Tynwald will later approve his appointment as clerk. He replaces Roger Phillips in both roles.

At Tuesday’s Keys sitting, Ann Corlett (Douglas Central) explained: ’The appointment of the Secretary of the House comes before the appointment of the clerk of Tynwald, even though the same person holds both roles.’

Dr King is stepping up from his current role as deputy clerk of Tynwald.

Mrs Corlett added: ’Dr King, very well known to us all, has served Tynwald very ably in his current capacity since 2007.’

He was the unanimous choice of the Tynwald management committee.

MHKs voted to approve his appointment as secretary to the House of Keys.

Mr Phillips has served as clerk of Tynwald since 2008. The role is effectively the chief administrator of the parliament and also encompasses the House of Keys duties.

Dr King was previously a UK civil servant, working in the Home Office, Cabinet Office and Ministry of Justice.