Tynwald firmly rejects Langness inquiry motion

An attempt to delay a public inquiry into the public rights of way at Langness has been roundly rejected by Tynwald.

Michael MHK David Cannan asked the court to delay any inquiry until after the High Court had ruled whether a footpath ran across TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s land.

He claimed an expensive public inquiry was unnecessary because the civil case would rule one way or another, but only four members voted in favour of his motion.

After the debate, Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne said Mr Cannan’s arguments didn’t hold water.

He told Manx Radio:

"Mr Cannan seemed to be trying to dress this up as 'trying to save the tax payer some money', and Mr Cannan himself has been particularly successful in his rather alarmist talk about the costs of the public inquiry, which is nowhere near the amounts Mr Cannan has been gently suggesting.

"We are now beginning to understand that it's more likely to be in the tens of thousands, not the millions of pounds that Mr Cannan seems to be suggesting."