The Council of Ministers is not convinced that a leak of an election result before it was formally announced came from within the count.

There was consternation last year after the BBC Isle of Man reported the ’result’ from Douglas East, prior to a recount taking place.

In its original report, the select committee claims the leak ’must have been the result of someone communicating from inside the count’.

However, in its response, the Council of Ministers refers to the opinion of the returning officers.

’Their view is that it was highly likely that the leak occurred from outside the count venue, by an attendee who had left after the first count, but prior to the recount occurring,’ it says

’The returning officer and his deputy agree that this action is deplorable, but would draw members’ attention to the circumstances.

’The recount was only requested and accepted by the returning officer because of the closeness between second and third place, hence determining the second person elected.

’Unsurprisingly, the unsuccessful candidates further down the poll and their supporters expressed a wish to leave. The returning officer is not able to object or prevent persons wishing to leave the count.’

’Whilst locking doors may be a historic practice at counting venues, providing the returning officer can restrict access to authorised persons only at the count, entering or exiting the count room is not an issue.’

However, the oath of secrecy must be maintained by all authorised attendees.

’It would be good practice for returning officers to make clear at the briefing prior to the start of the count that any persons leaving the count must respect the privacy of the count and in particular, not disclose prior to the official declaration any information shared in confidence by the returning officer during the count.’

CoMin supports a recommendation that the Law Society draws up guidance for returning officers to cover a ’standardised approach to counting, the use of mobile phones within the count and staff refreshments throughout polling day’.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We are confident we acted entirely properly in our reporting of the election and this particular result.”