Conflict of interest

Summary

The request sought details on conflicts of interest regarding COVID-19 vaccine decision-making for MHKs, Dr Ewart, and the Emergency Advisory Group. The Cabinet Office confirmed Dr Ewart has no conflict, directed the requester to Tynwald for MHK registers, and provided links to public EAG minutes containing declarations.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office does not hold conflict of interest information for MHKs, as they must register interests with Tynwald.
• Dr Ewart has no conflict of interest and holds no shares in companies related to COVID-19 testing or vaccine manufacturing.
• The Emergency Advisory Group includes a standing item for conflict of interest declarations at the start of every meeting.
• Declarations of interest for the Emergency Advisory Group are recorded in minutes and made publicly available online.
• The request was received on 15 December 2021 and the response was issued on 1 March 2022.

Data Disclosed

• 2147604
• 2021-12-15
• 2022-03-01
• 2022-03-01
• Section 8.5
• Section 20
• 20182021
• 2021-GD-0022
• 685500
• 01624 686244

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (information not held by the authority)

Original Request

Do any MHK's, Dr Ewart, members of the emergency advisory group and any others who provide advice have a conflict of interest in decision making relating to the covid vaccines? For example, do any hold shares in companies related to covid-19 testing and/or vaccine manufacturing, distribution, marketing?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 2147604 1 March 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 15 December 2021 and which states:

"Do any MHK's, Dr Ewart, members of the emergency advisory group and any others who provide advice have a conflict of interest in decision making relating to the covid vaccines? For example, do any hold shares in companies related to covid-19 testing and/or vaccine manufacturing, distribution, marketing?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested for MHKs. As Members of Tynwald they are required to identify interests and register them in order to inform Tynwald Court, the Branches and the public of any circumstances arising from them which could reasonably be regarded as bearing upon the way in which any Member may carry out his or her duties. To offer advice and assistance, interests can be viewed online at the Tynwald website here: https://www.tynwald.org.im/memoff/interest/Pages/default.aspx. However, you may also wish to contact the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office who may be able to help you. They can be contacted at enquiries@tynwald.org.im or 685500. Dr Ewart does not have a conflict of interest in decision making relating to Covid vaccines and does not hold shares in companies related to Covid-19 testing and/or vaccine manufacturing, distribution, marketing.

At the start of every meeting of the Emergency Advisory Group there is a standing item for declaration of conflicts of interest, which are recorded in the minutes. The terms of reference of the Emergency Advisory Group state that in Section 8.5. Declarations of Interest will be publically available: https://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20182021/2021-GD-0022.pdf. Under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide the information, however, all minutes containing declarations or conflicts of interest can be viewed online and are available here: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/council-of-ministers/the-council-of- ministers/council-of-ministers-emergency-advisory-group-eag/

Please quote the reference number 2147604 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely