A call for a committee to be launched to examine the pros and cons of the island accepting Syrian refugees has been blocked by the Council of Ministers.

Garff MHK Daphne Caine had introduced a motion to Tynwald seeking to set up the committee and received unanimous support in the Legislative Council.

However, in the Keys, 11 members voted against with 10 voting for Mrs Caine’s motion.

Of the 11, eight were the members of CoMin in attendance, with David Ashford, Geoffrey Boot, Alfred Cannan, Graham Cregeen, Ray Harmer, Chief Minister Howard Quayle, Laurence Skelly and Chris Thomas voting against.

Three back bench MHKs also backed the no vote, Chris Robertshaw, Ralph Peake and Jason Moorhouse.

One MHK who did support Mrs Caine, Middle MHK Bill Shimmins criticised what he called the ’block vote’ of CoMin and said it was a ’shame’ that Tynwald had not wished to further explore the matter.

Speaking to the Courier, Mr Shimmins added: ’I was disappointed because it was such a close vote and it is so difficult for a backbencher to win a vote in the keys.

’I just think if the island of Bute (Scotland, population about 6,500) can manage to take in refugees, why can’t we even examine the potential of it?

’As I said in Tynwald, I think it is closed minded to not allow a committee to investigate and I also think it may have provided comfort for the decision taken if it was done that way.’

During the debate, Mrs Caine spoke passionately when forwarded her motion, and said she was ’fully aware’ it is a divisive debate for the island.

She also recognised that some on social media had said she was committing ’political suicide’ by raising the topic.

However, she said that she believes politicians must act to their conscience and politics beliefs.

Mrs Caine added: ’I firmly believe the island is a welcoming, generous and compassionate place as born out by our treatment of "enemy aliens" during the wars.

’This motion is merely seeking to set up a committee to explore the idea, this is not a commitment to do it.’

Mr Shimmins added that he wanted to commend Mrs Caine’s ’courage and determination’ in addressing such a divisive issue.

In adding his support, he said it was ’sensible’ to discuss the positive and negatives and said that in refusing to hold a committee, Tynwald was sending out a negative message for the nation.

In setting out his own, and in effect CoMin’s, opposition to the motion, Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’The plight of Syrian refugees and quite frankly refugees from around the world is quite shocking.

’I would challenge anyone watching the news coverage to feel otherwise.’

However, Mr Quayle added that the island should offer ’effective support’, saying he doubts the island would be the best place for Syrian refugees as the infrastructure is not in place.

His view was one echoed by many colleagues within CoMin and back bench MHK Chris Robertshaw.

Mr Robertshaw said our support is better in providing financial support so infrastructure can be built to help people in refugee camps.

He added that he hopes for a ’peaceful new dawn’ for Syria and that the island should help towards one day rebuilding the country.

Despite MHKs failing to back her, Mrs Caine found support in LegCo where all members voted to support her motion.

The Lord Bishop Peter Eagles said that there is no harm in examining the issue, reminding members it was not a motion to introduce refugees, merely to question if the island couldn’t.

After the debate, Mrs Caine Tweeted: ’Agonisingly close. Shame government were not prepared to allow scrutiny of their decision not to accommodate vulnerable refugees on Isle of Man.

’Maybe correct decision but I challenge Howard Quayle MHK to disseminate evidence to convince Isle of Man as promised in Tynwald debate today.’