There are now eight contenders seeking appointment to the Legislative Council following the nomination of Zahed Miah.

Mr Miah was nominated by Clare Barber MHK (Douglas East), seconded by Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford and supported by Dr Alex Allinson MHK (Ramsey) and Chris Robertshaw MHK (Douglas East).

With a background in economics, Mrs Barber said Mr Miah’s work within the Department Environment, Food and Agriculture ’gives him a solid grounding in the research and analytical skills needed to fulfil the role’.

Mr Miah’s current role is as Brexit deputy manager, helping to prepare legislation and policy as a consequence of the UK leaving the EU.

Before then he was in the Office of Fair Trading and the economic affairs division of the Treasury. Born and raised in Liverpool, and a Liverpool University graduate in economics, Mr Miah moved to the Isle of Man in 2003.

His nomination joins that of Dr Michelle Haywood, Haafizah Hoosen, Peter Greenhill, Robert Mercer and sitting MLCs Kerry Sharpe, Tim Crookall and Bill Henderson who have all stated they are seeking to be reappointed to the council.

The selection date for MLCs is Thursday, March 12.

MLCs are lawmakers and members of Tynwald but they are not directly elected, they are appointed by MHKs.