Allan Bell
Minister for Economic Development | |
|---|---|
| In office 2010–2011 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | New position |
| Succeeded by | John Shimmin |
| Minister for the Treasury | |
| In office 2001–2010 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Richard Corkill |
| Succeeded by | Anne Craine |
| Minister for Home Affairs | |
| In office 1996–2001 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Richard Corkill |
| Succeeded by | Phil Braidwood |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Allan Robert Bell 20 June 1947 |
| Nationality | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Mec Vannin (before 1984) |
Allan Robert Bell
Early life and education
Bell was educated at Ramsey Grammar School. He was involved in banking and clothing retail prior to entering politics.[2]
Political career
Bell was first elected to the House of Keys as an Independent representing Ramsey in a 1984 by-election and continued as such until 22 September 2016 when he did not seek re-election. He had first, unsuccessfully. contested Ramsey in 1976 as a candidate for Manx nationalist party Mec Vannin.[3]
He served in numerous ministerial roles including
He was named as a central figure[4] in the "corruption of the system of government"[5] identified by Mount Murray Commission of Inquiry[6] (2002-2003), referring to his time as Tourism Minister in the early 1990s.
Chief Minister
On 11 October 2011, Bell was elected
While Bell was Chief Minister in 2013, the government signed a deal involving a £1.3 million bail-out loan and property purchase for the hotel chain Sefton Group which Bell stated was a "small but decisive part" in "support[ing] the economy".[8] After a legal review found the deal to be "outside of government powers", Bell initially refused to accept the proffered resignation of the economic development minister, John Shimmin.[9]
Bell was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for public service to the Isle of Man.[10]
Government positions
- Minister of Tourism and Transport, 1986–90
- Minister of Tourism, Leisure and Transport, 1990–94
- Minister of Industry, 1991–96
- Minister of Home Affairs, 1996–2001
- Minister of the Treasury, 2001–10
- Minister for Economic Development, 2010–11
- Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, 2011–2016
Personal life
In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, Bell stated that "People know that I’m gay. I’ve never made a secret of it, but no one has ever asked me."[11]
Retirement
On 1 August 2016, Bell announced that he was
See also
- List of LGBT heads of government
- List of the first LGBT holders of political offices
References
- ^ "New Chief Minister of the Isle of Man". 10 April 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ "Allan Bell". OECD. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Hon Allan Robert BELL MHK (Ramsey)". Tynwald. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Part G" (PDF). gov.im. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ "Part J" (PDF). gov.im. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ "Isle of Man Government – Mount Murray Report". gov.im. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- ^ "Allan Bell is elected the Isle of Man's chief minister". BBC News. 11 October 2011.
- ^ Darbyshire, Adrian (19 April 2013). "Govt bail out struggling Sefton Group". Isle of Man Today. Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
- ^ Vannin, Ellan (17 June 2014). "Hotel deal 'beyond power of Isle of Man government'". BBC. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ "No. 61608". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 2016. p. B26.
- ^ Pidd, Helen (5 October 2015). "Isle of Man leader draws line under 'dark days' and aims to legalise gay marriage". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ "Chief Minister steps down after 32 years in politics". 28 July 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
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