House of Keys pauses for Eddie Lowey's funeral

Eddie Lowey served in both the House of Keys and Legislative Council

The morning session of the weekly sitting of the House of Keys was paused to allow MHKs to attend the funeral of political stalwart Eddie Lowey.

Mr Lowey, who served a total of 38 years as a member of the Manx parliament, died on 22 May at the age of 86.

The former MHK and MLC’s funeral took place place at Rushen Abbey Church at 12:00 BST.

Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson said Mr Lowey's contribution to the Manx parliament was “immense”.

The House of Keys will suspend its business to allow MHKs to attend the funeral

The sitting was suspended after the allotted hour for questions to allow politicians to attend the service, with business resuming at 14:30.

Mr Watterson said it was "only right" that the parliament recognised Mr Lowey's contribution by allowing members "the opportunity to pay their last respects to a man who gave the island so much”.

When the House of Keys sitting resumed, its business turned to the continuation of the consideration of the clauses of the Assisted Dying Bill 2023.

In the Legislative Council chamber at the same time, MLCs began their deliberations of the Isle of Man Constitution Bill 2023, which would remove the bishop’s vote in Tynwald and the Council.