Anti-terror laws allowed the UK port authorities to require identity documents from passengers travelling to the Isle of Man, Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey has confirmed.

Enhanced security checks were introduced a short notice last month in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bomb, which saw the terror threat in the UK lifted to critical.

In Tynwald Speaker Juan Watterson, a former home affairs minister, asked his successor Bill Malarkey under what powers the UK authorities had introduced the checks.

The minister said the authority came from the Terrorism Act, which ’empowers a constable, immigration officer or customs officer’ to require the production of a valid passport or other means of identification.

Mr Watterson asked whether it had ’significant ramifications’ for the common travel area between the Isle of Man and the UK and whether the authorities in the Isle of Man were given notice of the additional measures.

Mr Malarkey said he was not aware of any contradiction on the rules covering the common travel area, nor was he aware of anyone who was prevented from travelling.

He said it was an operational decision by police in the UK and he understood there was communication from the Isle of Man police on operational matters.

’At the time, the terrorism level stood at critical,’ he said. ’I am rather glad it did not carry on long enough to interfere with the TT period and hopefully anybody inconvenienced realised, in these days of terrorism, these things happen from time to time.’