Some £350,000 of taxpayers’ cash was spent on supporting the role of Lieutenant Governor last year.

A response to a Freedom of Information request outlined the amounts paid in salary and expenses, staffing costs and official catering.

The request was made by someone who is clearly no supporter of the governor’s role.

They asked how much money is being spent ’to feed, lodge and compensate’ the Lieutenant Governor or alternatively, how much money could be saved by eliminating the position.

And they suggested that the role exists ’for all intents and purposes to rubber-stamp decisions taken by the Cabinet Office, CoMin and the IoM government more generally’.

In its response the Cabinet Office said that Sir Richard Gozney as Lieutenant Governor is paid an annual salary, not subject to income tax, of £101,681.

He also receives an allowance of £2,541 per annum to cover out of pocket expenses.

In 2016/2017, the staff cost associated with the day to day management of Government House, the Lieutenant Governor’s official residence, was £234,380.

The Cabinet Office said His Excellency only receives food in connection with official duties. In 2016/17, £12,860 was spent on official catering at Government House.

A large number of receptions, dinners and events are hosted each year by the Lieutenant Governor and his wife, attended by a wide range of official guests and members of the Isle of Man community, it explained.

Food consumed when not on official duty is paid for by the Lieutenant Governor privately.

The Cabinet Office added in its response: ’The Lieutenant Governor has no role in the decisions of the Isle of Man Government and decisions are not rubber stamped by the Lieutenant Governor.

’The Lieutenant Governor is the personal representative of HM The Queen. Providing the necessary support is our constitutional obligation.’

It said the Lieutenant Governor carries out a full range of functions and duties, including being impartial adviser to The Queen, Lord of Mann, representing on ceremonial occasions and hosting Royal and VIP visits.

His role also involves working with the government to help promote the island’s commercial interests, exercising delegated authority to give Royal Assent to primary legislation and making recommendations for Crown appointments and official Honours and Awards.