The UK Government’s draft withdrawal agreement with the Europe Union gives the Isle of Man clarity, says Chief Minister Howard Quayle.

This morning he made a statement to Tynwald in response to the publication of Theresa May’s draft withdrawal agreement ahead of Brexit.

The extent of the withdrawal agreement, in terms of how it would affect the Isle of Man, was limited to areas covered by the island’s current relationship with the EU, via the UK Government, under Protocol 3.

Mr Quayle said: The withdrawal agreement, while having a limited effect on us, gives us the clarity that we wanted and sought to achieve in terms of ensuring the commitments the UK has made would only apply to us to the extent of Protocol 3.

’We will continue to prepare for all eventualities, ensuring that we are prepared for a no-deal Brexit, as well as keeping abreast of the development of a new EU-UK relationship.’

He added that while the withdrawal agreement had been concluded in draft form, it was ’far from being agreed’.