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 at short notice in May 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 under what powers the checks had been introduced. 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 island 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 that anyone who was prevented from travelling. He said it was an operational decision by UK police and there was communication from the Isle of Man police on operational matters.