The Vision Nine website no longer has any reference to the Isle of Man T.T. or Festival of Motorcycling.

Tynwald approved the appointment of the London-based company to be the events promoter from 2017 back in April.

In early August, Manx Radio broke the news that the contract remained unsigned.

The Department of Economic Development confirmed the story and that it was to continue in the role of organiser for next year's events.

Manx Radio understands the matter is being discussed by the Council of Ministers today.

DED isn't communicating with approved TT promoter

The company approved by Tynwald to run the TT says the Department of Economic Development has only sent three pieces of correspondence since April

Vision Nine has heard rumours suggesting the deal has collapsed - but the DED is yet to respond to requests for a meeting.

The company now says it will take legal action against the department if there's truth to the speculation.

CEO Julian Topham insists Vision Nine has suffered serious reputational damage as a result of its link with the Isle of Man Government.

He says it's time to talk:

DED confirms collapse of TT deal

---

DED says it is aware of the company’s intention to issue legal proceedings against it and as such the matter is now ‘sub judice’.

Chris Robertshaw MHK

An attempt to force the government to answer questions about the collapsed Vision Nine TT deal, has failed in the House of Keys.

East Douglas MHK Chris Robertshaw tabled an urgent motion at this morning's sitting, asking for a debate as a matter of 'utmost urgency'.

But although he attracted the four backers needed, the House as a whole turned down the request when it was put to the vote (16 votes to 6).

The Vision Nine deal would have seen an external promoter effectively run TT and the Festival of Motorcycling on behalf of government.

But the partnership collapsed during negotiations, in what could prove a costly venture for both parties.

The chief minister said the Manx government is following legal advice by refusing to comment on the matter.

Howard Quayle told the Keys further public discussion would be 'dangerous' and could 'prejudice' court proceedings - but confirmed the Department of Economic Development's efforts to grow the TT will continue.

Mr Robertshaw said he had deep concerns that DED had not been honourable in its dealings with the firm:

The company that thought it had agreed a deal to run the TT says it's beginning legal action against the Department of Economic Development.

Vision Nine was formally notified yesterday by DED that the contract to promote the TT and Festival of Motorcycling had been scrapped.

CEO of the London-based firm Julian Topham says the saga serves as "a warning" for those wishing to do business with the Isle of Man Government in future.

Mr Topham insists this is now in the hands of lawyers:

Howard Quayle MHK

Chief Minister’s statement about Vision Nine collapse

The UK company at the centre of a contract row over the promotion of the TT says the matter is not 'sub judice'.

Vision Nine says it hasn't yet filed any legal proceedings with a court or tribunal - despite saying it plans to do so.

Earlier this week the Department of Economic Development confirmed the deal with the UK promoter for the TT and Classic TT Races was off.

In the House of Keys the Chief Minister claimed he couldn't talk about the collapse of the plans due to the matter being under judicial consideration:



Vision Nine says it doesn't understand on what basis Howard Quayle considers the matter to be sub judice and says it's 'highly regrettable' that the government has refused to give any explanation for its actions.

Besieged Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly MHK insists his hands are tied over what he can say about the collapse of the Vision Nine deal, in the light of likely legal action. 

Handling of the TT promoter contract has descended into farce as the government refused to be drawn into debating a matter which it says is now sub judice, when an issue cannot be publicly discussed while under consideration by a court. 

Backbench MHK Chris Robertshaw tabled a motion of urgent importance in the House of Keys this week. 

Mr Robertshaw asked why members had not been informed about the concerns of departments when the Vision Nine deal was brought to the April Tynwald for approval. He also asked why there had been a ‘embarrassing’ delay between the Council of Ministers voting to discontinue the tender and informing Vision Nine. And he queried why the DED had stated that the matter was sub judice, when ‘clearly at this stage it is not’. 

He questioned why government departments ‘simply cannot get their act together’ but added: ‘I do hope that when we come to look at this matter we do not choose to scapegoat either a Minister or a chief executive, but are more honest in our appraisal of why on earth we are making these sorts of mistakes.’ 

The DED Minister has referred the matter to Tynwald’s economic policy review committee. We posed a series of questions to Mr Skelly, which we believe can be answered without undermining the government’s position in any future legal action. 

1) How would you say DED has handled the tender process and the announcement that it is to be discontinued? 

He replied: ‘We cannot comment as we have been advised by the Acting Attorney General that specific detail regarding the case could fall into the area of sub-judice.’ 

2) Why was Vision Nine not told of the decision sooner, ie straight after the CoMin vote? 

Mr Skelly said: ‘Vision Nine were formally advised of the decision at the earliest opportunity on November 28 2016.’  

3) Could this situation have an impact on the island’s reputation as a place to do business, and on the DED’s ability to encourage investment to the island? 

Mr Skelly said: ‘The department is working to ensure that this will be maintained with a series of initiatives that are designed to make the Isle of Man an attractive location for relevant businesses. The department is confident that this growth and investment will be maintained.’ 

4) DED has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently – The Jacksons, Tom Jones and now this. Have you considered resigning over this matter? Should the position of senior officials within the department by reviewed? In short, should heads roll? 

Mr Skelly replied: ‘I have already advised that the matter has been referred to the economic policy review committee. Other comment would therefore be inappropriate at this time.’ 

5) Do you still believe that bringing in a private promoter for the TT is the right way forward? 

Mr Skelly said: ‘A review of the delivery of the TT and Classic TT will be undertaken but the delivery of the 2017 TT Races and Classic TT Races is on schedule to be delivered as usual under the existing structure and by the existing team following our decision in August that the Isle of Man Government would remain the promoter for both events – a decision which was notified to Vision Nine at the time.’ 

6) Was it DED’s intention to complete this tender and did DED have the authority to do so? 

Mr Skelly said: ‘We are unable to comment as these are matters that have been raised by Vision Nine’s lawyers in their notified claim against DED.’ 

7) What assurances can you give for TT 2017 and beyond? 

Mr Skelly said: ‘TT and Classic TT 2017 will be delivered by the existing experienced team and under the existing structure that has successfully delivered recent events. Both events are operating to the usual delivery plan.’