Tributes have been paid following the death of radio presenter and former MLC David Callister.

The popular broadcaster died this week at the age of 84.

Tynwald president Steve Rodan said he was a highly respected political commentator and Manx Radio presenter, who had reported on Tynwald for many years before he joined Legislative Council in 2008.

He said: ’It is with great sadness that Tynwald mourns the death of our former colleague David Callister.

’His life experience and intimate knowledge of the Manx political scene made him a valuable member especially in debate, which he enlivened with incisive common sense and often humorous anecdote.

’David made a great contribution to Manx politics not only during his five years in Tynwald, but as a great political observer who had his ear to the ground.

’Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Ann and family.’

He had applied ’open minded diligence’ and was dedicated to his role, taking 10 Bills through Legislative Council, Mr Rodan said.

However, Mr Callister’s own private member’s bill to reform elections to LegCo, which was a personal mission and major motivation for joining, failed at the clauses stage.

He sat on numerous committees including the MEA select committee and served government in the Departments of Health, Agriculture and Transport; and as vice chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the Office of Fair Trading.

Mr Callister’s death comes just four months after that of fellow political commentator and former MHK Roger Watterson, who presented Manx Radio’s Sunday Opinion from 1992 to 2019.