Government charges RNLI £250 to use 'TT'

The Department of Economic Development has stepped into another row about its TT trademark - after charging a charity for using the initials.

It's asked the RNLI to pay £250 to use the letters TT on fundraising badges - something departmental member Rob Callister MHK says is a reduced rate.

It follows a previous dispute with Island brewery Bushy's, when the department threatened legal action over the company's TT T-shirts.

On Facebook, Mr Callister - who's currently in Canada with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association - defended charging the livesaving charity which operates five lifeboat stations around the Island.

He said the decision to ask for money was to defend the TT brand.