An MHK says the remaining episodes of a controversial documentary about Isle of Man Prison should be pulled unless government approves them first.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse tabled no fewer than 19 Tynwald questions about ITV’s The Best Little Prison in Britain?

The series has come under fire from critics who claim it is painting the island’s justice system in a poor light and creating stars of repeat offenders.

In questions tabled for written answer over Tynwald’s summer recess, Mr Moorhouse has asked the Chief Minister whether the Manx government can prevent future episodes of the prison documentary from being aired.

He said the government should have had a veto.

The three remaining episodes should be seen by the Chief Minister or a senior official, he said, and if deemed ’not appropriate’ then ’potentially censorship in some form is acceptable’.

Mr Moorhouse told iomtoday: ’I have concerns about the impact on the perception of the island, the perceived view of what happens in the prison and the victims of crime.

’My questions focus on the decision makers who identified the need for such a programme, the advice received from the Attorney General and other specialists, the impact of the programme and the amount of editorial control.

’I have no issues with future programmes being shown if they are carefully reviewed by a senior member of the government.’

He said from previous episodes, he would suggest that a simple ’refinement’ of the programme that might be required.

He added: ’Having met with several victims currently struggling to come to terms with what they have seen, I am currently trying to get a Victim Support helpline as a voice-over during the credits of the programme.

’Some of the victims of historic crimes appear to be having serious issues as a consequence of what they have seen in their own living rooms.’

In response to Mr Moorhouse’s question, Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ‘It is unlikely that the Isle of Man Government would be able to prevent future episodes from being broadcast nor is there a wish or need to prevent such airing.’

Mr Quayle confirmed that the government received no payment for – and had no editorial control over – the show.

He also said he believed the show could see a increase in tourism ‘attributed to the exposure given to that island by the series’.

The Chief Minister added: ‘It is expected that over the six week series the successful progressive regime run by the prison governor for the Department of Home Affairs would be highlighted providing a positive view of rehabilitation in the island.'

It’s not the first time that Mr Moorhouse has suggested that government control the media.

In 2017, following the Panorama programme about the Paradise Papers, he said the Chief Minister should retain editorial rights when giving interviews of ’national importance’.

In other questions, Mr Moorhouse has asked Mr Quayle what the viewing figures are for the prison show and what advice the government’s communications team provided before the contract was signed and following the screening of the documentary.

He has tabled a question to Attorney General John Quinn, inquiring what advice he gave to the Council of Ministers.

Mr Moorhouse is also asking Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly whether his department had raised any concerns about the impact of the show.

And he has tabled a series of questions to Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey.

He wants to clarify whether the Department of Home Affairs was given the opportunity to view the final cut of the documentary before it was shown, what legal advice it received and what internal discussions were held.

Mr Moorhouse also has questions about the inmates, including what was the height and weight of the last 100 released inmates on entering and leaving the jail.

And he wants to know whether the prisoners pay for gym usage and access to television in their rooms from their allowance.

In addition to the 19 questions from Mr Moorhouse, Onchan MHK Julie Edge has asked Mr Malarkey whether he approved the final edit and if he will provide a copy of the contract, with details of any payments received, and the economic impact assessment.

Prison governor Bob McColm and the government have previously confirmed they have no editorial control over the production team.