Chief Minister Tony Brown believes the United Kingdom Chancellor is "in the dark" over the Isle of Man's relationship with his country.

In the House of Keys this morning, and at a special media conference this afternoon, Mr Brown vowed to seek clarification of what Alistair Darling meant by remarks made to a UK Treasury Select Committee in London yesterday.

Mr Darling was being questioned about the Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander affair when he said he wouldn't rescue anyone with off-shore savings.

He went on to say politicians and regulators should reconsider the United Kingdom's relationship with the Isle of Man, and that his government was to take "a long hard look" at its status as a tax haven.

This afternoon Tony Brown told the Island's media Mr Darling’s comments were unfortunate to say the least.

He said the chancellor didn't seem to be aware that the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man had already been reviewed, and an agreement reinforcing it was signed by the Lord Chancellor on behalf of the UK Government in May last year.

Mr Brown said there was also no mention by Mr Darling of the new tax co-operation agreements signed between the Island and the UK, only five weeks ago.

The chief minister stressed the position of the Isle of Man government was clear. It wasn't asking for any favours, but the UK did have a constitutional responsibility to represent the Island internationally.

Mr Brown told the House of Keys he was seeking an urgent meeting to clarify Mr Darling's remarks.