Opposite sex civil partnerships not recognised in UK

The British Government says opposite-sex couples entering into civil partnerships on the Isle of Man won't have their union recognised in the United Kingdom.

Manx legislation was brought in earlier this year, allowing all couples to enter a marriage or civil partnership.

In the UK, civil partnerships are still only offered to same-sex couples, resulting in some heterosexual couples travelling to the Island to take advantage of the new Manx laws.

However, UK Equalities Minister Caroline Dineage told the parliament there that only civil partnerships between same-sex couples will be recognised.