In the past, the lieutenant governor wielded considerable judicial, fiscal and executive power on the island.

[3] Such a question was considered in 1877 by the eminent Manx advocate James Gell,[3] who referred to a search he undertook at the Rolls Office, the results of which are included in a list of 83 appointments of governors between 1595 and 1863.

[3] If the sovereign intended not to bestow the full powers of a governor on a specific person, then the limitations had to be expressed on the face of the commission.

[3] In the cases of Charles Stanley (1702) and Bishop Isaac Barrow (1774) this prerogative was specifically granted; however over time it became common custom amongst successive lieutenant governors.

[3] Before 2010 the lieutenant governor was appointed by the Crown on the advice of a panel led by the government of the United Kingdom.

In July 2010 the government of the Isle of Man announced[4] that the next lieutenant governor would be appointed on the advice of an entirely local panel, comprising the chief minister, the president of Tynwald and the first deemster.

[5] This proposal was sent to the British Department of Constitutional Affairs for submission to Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann, for approval.

However, in April 2006, after much public disapproval, Tynwald reversed its proposal and withdrew its request for royal assent.