The Tourism Minister is insisting all parties were consulted ahead of the decision to close the T.T. Mountain Course an hour earlier than normal in practice week.

Martyn Quayle went on the defence during some intense questioning in the House of Keys over the intended extra sessions for TTxGP riders.

This was abandoned after a week of severe criticism from marshals, medics and the public.....with T.T. organisers performing a u-turn.

Sports Editor Tim Glover reports:-

Mr Quayle was accused of not being able to organise a party in a brewary by Onchan MHK Peter Karran, a comment he felt was unworthy.

He did offer an apology to those who felt the consultation process should have been more extensive, but there was none to the Manx public in general.

Mr Quayle was adamant all parties were consulted.

However, there seems to be a difference over what is and isn't consultation.

Manx Radio understands the immediate opinion of race officials, marshals and medics was that the proposed extra hour was a non-starter.

It seems this advice was collectively ignored by the politicians.