List of Freemasons holding Tynwald roles

Summary

The request sought lists of Chief Ministers, Speakers, Presidents of Tynwald, and Chairmen of the Executive Council who were Freemasons. The authority disclosed three individuals who declared Freemasonry interests since October 2011 but noted that information regarding the Chairman of the Executive Council prior to 2011 is outside the scope of the Freedom of Information Act.

Key Facts

• Juan Watterson (Speaker of the House) declared membership in the United Grand Lodge of England, Rushen Lodge, and Tynwald Chapter.
• Geoff Corkish (Deputy Speaker) declared an interest in Freemasonry between October 2011 and March 2013.
• Leonard Singer (Deputy Speaker) declared membership in Lezayre Lodge between March 2013 and 2016.
• The term 'Chairman of the Executive Council' was used prior to 2011, and the FOI Act only applies to information created on or after 11 October 2011.
• No Chief Ministers or Presidents of Tynwald were identified as Freemasons in the provided response.

Data Disclosed

• 11 October 2011
• 27th September 2016
• 25th October 2011
• 26th March 2013
• 2016
• 3944
• 1242
• 4554501
• 2025-04-01
• 2025-04-07

Exemptions Cited

• Freedom of Information Act applies only to information created on or after 11 October 2011

Original Request

Please provide 4 lists as follows: 1) All Chief Ministers that were Freemasons at the time of holding their post 2) All Speakers of the House of Keys that were Freemasons at the time of holding their post 3) All Presidents of Tynwald that were Freemasons at the time of holding their post 4) All Chairmen of the Executive Council that were Freemasons at the time of holding their post

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-Ordinator Office of the Clerk of Tynwald Legislative Buildings Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PW Telephone: 01624 685500

Our ref: 4554501 7 April 2025

Dear

Your Request
We write further to your request, received 1 April 2025, which states:

"Please provide 4 lists as follows:

1) All Chief Ministers that were Freemasons at the time of holding their post
2) All Speakers of the House of Keys that were Freemasons at the time of holding their post
3) All Presidents of Tynwald that were Freemasons at the time of holding their post
4) All Chairmen of the Executive Council that were Freemasons at the time of holding their post"

Our Response
In relation to your request the following Members, in post since 11 October 2011, have made relevant Members’ Interests declarations as shown. Juan Watterson SHK Speaker of the House 27th September 2016 to date • Memberships: Member: United Grand Lodge of England, Rushen Lodge (3944) and Tynwald Chapter (1242)

Geoff Corkish MHK Deputy Speaker of the House 25th October 2011 – 26th March 2013 • Memberships: Freemasonary

Leonard Singer MHK Deputy Speaker of the House 26th March 2013 – 2016
• Memberships: Member of Lezayre Lodge

The Chairman of the Executive Council was a term used prior to 2011. The Freedom of Information Act applies in relation to information created on or after 11 October 2011.
This information has been sourced from the Tynwald Members’ Interests we hold for current and former Members. The Register of Members’ Interests Rules places a duty on Members of Tynwald to identify interests which should be registered 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/her duties.
You can find the Register of Members’ Interests Rules at Annex 7 to the Standing Orders of Tynwald - https://www.tynwald.org.im/business/standing-orders A list of searchable current Members’ Interests is available at the bottom of the webpage: https://www.tynwald.org.im/members-officers/members-interests 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. Please quote the reference number 4554501 in any future communications.

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

Freedom of Information Co-Ordinator foi@tynwald.org.im
https://www.tynwald.org.im/links/foi