A Labour MP says she suspects the end of the Isle of Man's reciprocal healthcare agreement with the United Kingdom could be down to pressure from Europe.
Kate Hoey, who represents the constituency of Vauxhall in London, was on the Island this week as a guest of the Isle of Man branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Relations between the Island and the UK are strained at the moment, and she thinks the EU might be putting pressure on Gordon Brown’s government over supposed tax havens.
Mrs Hoey says the UK should be proud to have the Island as a neighbour and told Manx Radio:
"I think the United Kingdom should be absolutely delighted to have such a wonderful Island right in the middle of the British Isles, that has managed to maintain its independence all these years and was one of the first democracies.
"We should be thrilled and delighted and wanting to see you part of us, without actually wanting to take you over, which I know you don't want to be.
"But I think, and I'm speaking out of turn here because I don't really know this, I would think there is a hidden hand here, which is bound to have Brussels all over it."
You can here the full version of Roger Watterson's interview with Kate Hoey on Sunday Opinion, from just after 12 noon on Sunday.
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