An MHK is completely unrepentant over comments he made about the rights of transsexuals in the House of Keys this week.

John Houghton provoked anger from a number of his colleagues when he claimed proposed new gender recognition laws defied 'common decency'.

He was the only member present not to support a bill which would allow transsexuals to have their new gender recognised under Manx law.

He says the bill should be scrapped, and told Manx Radio:

"It's completely indecent.

"This is a gender recognition bill (and) what that means is legalising people to have sex changes. To change their gender.

"If somebody wants to go and have an extremely unusual operation like this elsewhere, further afield, let them do so.

"But don't make a law stating you can, and then you can have it on the NHS.

"I'm sorry, it's completely absurd, in this financial climate, when we've got so much else to think and worry about.

What on earth are we doing bringing a government bill forward like this?"

Gender identity disorder is a recognised medical condition.

It was confirmed in the House of Keys this week that the treatment of transsexual people is very specialised.

Also, given the small numbers involved, such treatment could not reasonably be provided in the Island, and patients would be referred to the United Kingdom.