Published online at 16/03/2010 14:48:25  

We won't need to get travel insurance for the UK for at least another six months, after chief minister Tony Brown's shock announcement in Tynwald.

He told the court and a packed public gallery that a temporary reciprocal health agreement would come in on April first to replace the outgoing one - and will then be evaluated.

Mr Brown said he'd only been told the news by the UK's secretary of state for health Andy Burnham at lunchtime.

Exact details aren't clear yet, but Mr Brown told Tynwald the British government's change of mind had come about because of the pressure exerted by the Manx government, MPs and members of the public.

His announcement brought a great cheer from Tynwald members and people in the public gallery