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Requisition Meeting to be Sought Concerning Chief Minister Candidate's Online Post
PRESS RELEASE
11 October 2026
Chief Minister candidate Chris Thomas is to face a proposed requisition meeting concerning an alleged breach of an agreement among election candidates in Douglas Central, it was announced yesterday by the Leader of Transform I
Requisition Meeting to be Sought Concerning Chief Minister Candidate's Online Post
PRESS RELEASE
11 October 2026
Chief Minister candidate Chris Thomas is to face a proposed requisition meeting concerning an alleged breach of an agreement among election candidates in Douglas Central, it was announced yesterday by the Leader of Transform Isle of Man, Rev Dr George Hargreaves.
The matter arises from a request made by Deputy Returning Officer Sally Bolton at the nomination confirmation meeting ahead of September's General Election.
According to Mr Hargreaves, Ms Bolton asked candidates to refrain from personal attacks during the election campaign. No candidate present raised any objection to her request, which Mr Hargreaves understood to have been accepted by all those present.
However, Mr Thomas subsequently published a Facebook post, the opening paragraphs of which stated:
"There was a shocking moment in the Douglas Central hustings when George Hargreaves, Transform IOM leader, announced a new policy of an amnesty for politicians and civil servants who had committed criminal offences. He provided no evidence and the allegation seemed to relate to film.
"I pulled him up as did the chair."
Mr Hargreaves alleges that Mr Thomas's comments constituted a personal attack contrary to the understanding reached at the nomination meeting.
Commenting on the matter, Mr Hargreaves said:
"Transform Isle of Man's amnesty policy was inspired by my Christian belief that confession and forgiveness go hand in hand.
"The policy was developed against a background of increasing reports of financial irregularities within government.
"In the financial year 2024–25, 85 cases were reported to the Isle of Man Treasury's Audit Advisory Division by government departments, boards, offices and arm's-length bodies. These included three reports concerning alleged bribery or corruption and 11 concerning alleged theft or fraud.
"The number of reported cases has increased from 25 in 2021–22 to 50 in 2022–23, 70 in 2023–24 and 85 in 2024–25.
"As for film, my concerns arose when one of the signatories to the Standing Committee of Tynwald on Public Accounts Fourth Report for the Session 2020-21 Media Development Fund told me that they believed the matter of CinemaNX should have been referred to the Chief Constable.
"What we need from Ministers of State is transparency and accountability, not online personal attacks."
Referring to Mr Thomas's candidacy for Chief Minister, Mr Hargreaves added:
"I agree with Kirrie Jenkins when she says that the Chief Minister should have 'won the trust of their constituency', should embrace the newness of the House of Keys and be 'of high moral character'.
"These are important criteria for anyone seeking the highest political office on our Island.
"I am not asking anyone to prejudge Mr Thomas or his character. I am asking that the circumstances be openly examined and that the people of Douglas Central be given an opportunity to hear the explanations and draw their own conclusions.
"Considering Mr Thomas's actions, we shall ask the constituents of Douglas Central whether they feel he has met the criteria articulated by Kirrie Jenkins."
Transform Isle of Man intends to begin collecting signatures in November to request that the Mayor of Douglas convene a requisition meeting at which constituents can question Mr Thomas about his online comments.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Formal complaint
Mr Thomas's Facebook post has been submitted to Isle of Man Government Chief Executive Mark Lewin as evidence supporting Mr Hargreaves' separate formal complaint concerning the conduct of the Douglas Central election hustings.
Mr Hargreaves alleges that the chair, Captain of the Parish of Lonan Stephen Carter, interfered with his rights under Article 10 and Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
In an email dated 26 September 2026, Mr Lewin confirmed that the matter would be dealt with through the formal complaints process and that a further formal response would follow.
2. Requisition meetings
Requisition meetings are an established feature of Manx civic life. Douglas City Council's Constitution includes a Requisition Meeting Process under Part 5(N).
The Mayor of Douglas, acting as Captain of Douglas, is the appropriate civic authority to approach.
Twelve signatures is the traditionally reported threshold for requesting a requisition meeting. The precise application of the Council's procedure to the proposed meeting remains to be confirmed.
3. Andrew Smith precedent
In August 2022, a requisition meeting was convened by the Captain of the Parish of Lonan, Stephen Carter, following representations from constituents concerning Garff MHK Andrew Smith's alleged change of position on assisted dying.
Mr Smith attended the meeting and answered questions from constituents.
4. Kirrie Jenkins' criteria for Chief Minister
The criteria attributed to Kirrie Jenkins were reported by Isle of Man Today on 6 October 2026 in an article entitled "How the Chief Minister contest is unfolding as Jenkins and Thomas set for hustings".
5. Financial irregularities
The financial irregularities figures refer to reports received by the Treasury's Audit Advisory Division. They do not necessarily represent proven criminal offences.
6. Supporting evidence
A screenshot of Mr Thomas's Facebook post is available to journalists. The post has also been submitted as evidence in Mr Hargreaves' formal complaint to Mark Lewin.