The Tourism Minister has issued a strong rebuttal to calls for his resignation from the promoter of the Peel Bay Festival.

Adrian Earnshaw says he is disappointed at remarks made by Jonathon Irving, who has made a series of barbed criticisms of the minister.

It's the latest round in what has become an ill-tempered debate on the future of the festival, which the Manx government has refused to underwrite.

Mr Irving has declared the campaign for another Peel Bay Festival next year lost, due to lack of government support.

But he hasn't thrown in the towel in his battle with the Department of Tourism and Leisure. In calling for the minister's resignation, he accused Mr Earnshaw of a lack of imagination, clarity and direction.

In his response the minister outlines his recent successes. He says lesiure visitors for the year to the end of September are up more than 14 % and the Isle of Man hosted its most successful event ever, the centenary TT.

He also refutes Mr Irving's suggestion the department is planning to hold its own music festival at the Villa Marina Gardens. He says the department is actively pursuing headline acts for the Royal Hall.

(Image: The Sea Terminal in Douglas, where the Department oif Tourism and Leisure is based, from iomguide.com).