The delay in granting Royal Assent to the island’s assisted dying bill is highly unusual, happening only “once every couple of decades or so”, the constitutional affairs committee has heard.
Chris Brannigan, Executive Director of Crown and External Relations, told members that the legislation remains under active consideration at the UK’s Ministry of Justice, but stressed that approval has not been refused.
“Royal Assent has not been refused in any way,” Mr Brannigan said. “I think the role of the Ministry of Justice in this process is to recommend the piece of legislation which is normal practice for royal assent.”
He confirmed there is “regular consultation between ourselves and the Ministry of Justice” about the bill, which has been the subject of discussions “for months and months”.
Mr Brannigan said the legislation is receiving “the due attention that it deserves” given its groundbreaking nature, adding that there is “an incumbent responsibility on the United Kingdom to ensure that such a piece of groundbreaking and consequential legislation is being subject to the diligence that it would be expected to be”.
Chief Minister Alf Cannan told the committee he understands the bill is “under active consideration” and that the process “should happen” in due course.