The UK government has received approval from the House of Lords to negotiate over fishing rights in Crown dependency waters without our consent through a permissive extent clause (PEC).

This decision raises serious questions over the long term relationship between Tynwald, as a self-governing Crown Dependency, and Westminster

Mannin Branch Celtic League spokesman Bernard Moffatt said on its Facebook page: ’The English parliament at Westminster has driven a coach and horses through constitutional norms by passing legislation that can unilaterally extend UK influence over fishing rights in the dependencies.

’The Channel Islands media reported on this a few days ago with the Lords suggesting it is to ’protect’ the whole British family. The subtext is simple when it comes to interest. It’s the self interest of the English parliament that counts - not much changed then in 300 years.’

Lord David Pannick said any attempt to force legislation on Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man would be ’trampling’ on our constitutional rights.

Guernsey’s external relations minister Jonathan Le Tocq said the States of Guernsey were ’disappointed’ by the UK government’s decision, adding that the clause was ’not necessary and not appropriate’.

However, a spokesman for the Manx government said: ’As with a number of fishing related issues, the Isle of Man’s situation differs to that of our Channel Islands friends.

’A PEC is a legislative tool that is widely used. The presence of a PEC does not suggest that control has been removed from the government. The Isle of Man government retains full control of the island’s fisheries, as much as it ever has. There is nothing to suggest that that will change.’