Delegation courts both sides in EU debate

The Manx government says it's keeping in close contact with senior political figures on both sides of the EU referendum debate.

Last week Chief Minister Allan Bell held meetings in London with three leading figures on the 'remain in' side - Conservative Ken Clarke, Labour's Alan Johnson and the SNP's leader at Westminster Angus Robertson.

Mr Bell's delegation also met an all-party parliamentary group which is assessing the impact of a Brexit on the Isle of Man.

Mr Bell says further meetings will be held with key UK figures in the 'out' camp. 

The Manx government has confirmed the Island cannot join the European Union in its own right, and would probably be tied to agreements the UK makes with the EU, if it leaves.

Mr Bell says the position of the Crown Dependencies has at last been addressed in a UK paper on EU withdrawal: