Proposed assisted dying laws report delayed

The committee's report is now expected in March

A report examining the details of laws that would give terminally ill Isle of Man residents the right to choose to end their lives has been delayed while further evidence is gathered.

The Assisted Dying Bill 2023, a private members' bill by Alex Allinson MHK, passed its second reading in October, before a committee was appointed to examine its clauses the following month.

The panel had been due to report back by the end of February, but chairman David Ashford said it was awaiting submissions from two "important stakeholders", which would "merit proper consideration".

Mr Ashford said those were expected "very shortly" and the document should be ready by the end of March, if not sooner.

'Substantively complete'

MHKs backed the creation of the committee to consider the bill's 14 clauses outlining the detail of the proposed legislation, including what constitutes a terminal illness and how assistance in dying would be given.

Rob Callister, who called for a panel to be appointed, along with Dr Allinson, Mr Ashford, Michelle Haywood and current health minister Lawrie Hooper, were elected to scrutinise the proposed new laws.

In a statement in the House of Keys, Mr Ashford said a range of evidence had been gathered "including engagement with various professional bodies", and the committee's report was "very nearly and substantively complete".

He said there was "every reason to hope" it would be published in March.