MHK's suspension should have been a 'storm in a teacup' says Chief

Demoralising and disappointing - that's how the Chief Minister has described the political storm engulfing an MHK's suspension.

North Douglas representative John Houghton was expelled from Tynwald last week after failing to apologise for his conduct which was deemed to have fallen below an acceptable level:

Mr Houghton must follow Tynwald orders and apologise before he can continue in his post - so far he has refused to do so meaning he's expected to be absent from today's House of Keys sitting. 

Allan Bell says that leaves the administration in "unchartered territory" adding that he still believes the matter could have been settled privately: