Manx assisted dying bill progress is turning point, campaigner says

Dignity in Dying chief executive said the step forward was important for their campaign

The passing of the second reading of the Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Keys marked a historic day on the Isle of Man, a campaigner has said.

Members of UK lobby group Dignity in Dying attended the political debate on Tuesday.

Chief executive Sarah Wootton said the vote to take the bill forward was a "turning point" for their campaign.

The private members bill would give terminally-ill residents with six months to live the right to die.

Ms Wootton said it was a "historic vote" and meant the MHKs had "listened to the people's call for compassion".

She said while there were still many stages to come before it could become law on the island, it was "still a really important day for the assisted dying campaign".

'Reticence'

Alex Allinson, who brought the bill forward, reiterated that there was still a long journey for the bill to undertake.

He said: "This is one small step forward in terms of the acceptance of the underlying principles of the bill."

Dr Allinson said the debate had reflected the differing opinions of people across the island, and he understood the "reticence of some people".

There were a number of intricacies to look at going forward to get the "safeguards right" and the "wording right", he said.

A vote on whether the clauses of the bill should now be examined by a committee of five MHKs will be taken next Tuesday.

A number of campaigners on both side demonstrated outside the Manx parliament ahead of Tuesday's debate.

Campaign group Manx Duty of Care, which is made up of healthcare professionals, has previously written to MHKs expressing its members' "deep concern" over the bill based on "ethical and practical reasons".

The BBC has contacted the group for a comment.

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