£300 VIP tickets for TT 'cost department £50'

The government gave out 21 TT hospitality packages to MHKs and MLCs this year, according to a Freedom of Information request.

It asked how many VIP tickets had been given to Tynwald members, and the Department for Enterprise said six MHKs and one MLC had been given free tickets this year.

In its response, it says the Mercury Club packages cost £300 not including VAT, but cost the department just £50 - next year's packages cost £420 according to the TT website.

The DfE says politicians attend as representatives of the government rather than private individuals, and the tickets include three meals, a complimentary bar, access to riders, a private grandstand and garden, and allocated parking.