Over the last 24 hours or so, a member of Douglas Borough Council has made allegations about my past behaviour. In public statements posted on multiple websites, the councillor has made allegations that I have taken various flights overseas.
I confess: It is true that I have flown to Australia. I confess that over the last decade, I have paid for my own flights to Australia on various occasions.
In March 2019, immediately prior to the pandemic, I confess that I flew to Australia to attend the wedding of my brother:
In September 2016, I confess that I flew to Austria (note: one less syllable) to serve as the Master of Ceremonies at the wedding of my best friend:
In September 2015, I confess that I flew to Melbourne to attend the Grand Final to see my beloved football team – Hawthorn – win a third consecutive Premiership:
In May 2015, I confess that I flew to Australia to attend the wedding of my sister. It is true that I flew to Australia twice in this calendar year:
In addition to my own, personally-funded, flights, it is true that other members of the Josem family have also paid for international flights. Here is a photograph proving that my father, and step-mother, flew from Australia to visit the Isle of Man in 2016 (in July! in Summer!):
I am not sorry about any of these trips. I am so incredibly grateful to have a wonderfully loving family, who continue to love and support me, despite the fact that I’ve left them in Australia to build a life in the Isle of Man.