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Business interests have never been a secret says Quayle

Tue, 25 Jan 2022

The former Chief Minister says his business interests on the Island have never been a secret.

It follows a Freedom of Information Request to see if Howard Quayle received any financial support for a tourism business which he part owns.

Mr Quayle confirmed the self-catering accommodation business made an application when holiday cottages were hit by Covid restrictions including the borders closure.

In a statement, Howard Quayle said: "My business interests on the Island have never been a secret. They have been on the register of Members' interests - and therefore in the public domain - since I was first elected as an MHK in 2011. That includes confirmation that I am one of the owners of a self-catering accommodation business (although not involved in its day-to-day running) which offers holidays lets and have been ever since 2006."

"Like many other businesses on the Island, it was hit hard by the closing of the Island’s borders. Although the company did not apply in the earliest stages, once it became clear that the pandemic would last a considerable time, an application for support was made under the Coronavirus Strategic Capacity Scheme (tourism accommodation)."

"I feel certain the application would have been considered and dealt with like any other on the grounds of eligibility/meeting relevant criteria and the full details will be rightly available when published by the Department for Enterprise."

"Naturally, on any occasion when the question of support for holiday let businesses was discussed in the Council of Minsters, I made my interest clear and left the room, something which was also minuted."

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