Business people sat down with government representatives to discuss their Brexit concerns at a high-powered breakfast time event in the island.

The ’breakout’ session gave manufacturers, food producers, importers and exporters the chance to have face-to-face discussions with officials from various government departments.

The meeting at the Palace Hotel, Douglas, on Friday, came after the government updated its business Brexit checklist as uncertainty still reigns over whether the UK’s departure from the EU will actually take place at Hop tu Naa.

Minister for Enterprise Laurence Skelly MHK said the aim of the gathering, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, was to look at practical implications of Brexit and to address particular concerns of business representatives.

He said that despite the political uncertainty, ’it is fair to say that Brexit, in whatever form it takes, is still looming large, there is no doubt about that’.

Mr Skelly said: ’It is important that we have this event to address the issues whatever the outcome is.

’It is quite clear we are living in unprecedented times, we are in unchartered waters and we are unsure what the direction is going to be.

’ But what we have to do is prepare for every eventuality.’

There was still the potential of the UK leaving the EU without a deal or even the resurrection of the old withdrawal agreement with tweaks.

He added: ’The fact remains that the rock and the hard place that entrapped the previous prime minister remains in place.

’From an Isle of Man perspective we have closely engaged with the UK government to ensure the Isle of Man’s voice is heard and our position is taken account of.’

He said the island was ’very fortunate’ that our financial and digital business sectors which are major contributors to the economy, ’have grown and thrived despite Brexit’.

But he said they could not be complacent and it was appropriate to suggest that every business in the island should ensure that it throughly re-examines its business model to identify and mitigate any potential risks.