The Assisted Dying Bill’s ongoing delay in receiving Royal Assent stems from the UK Ministry of Justice raising queries regarding its implementation and safeguards.
The bill passed Tynwald in March 2025, with documents sent to the MOJ the following month. In May 2025, the MoJ sought clarification from the Attorney General’s chambers on several points.
Chief Minister Alf Cannan told MHKs: “The Ministry of Justice raised questions with the Attorney General’s Chambers and requested additional clarification with regards to the codes of practice for the implementation of pre and post death reviews, as well as training and guidance of health care professionals specifically around the safeguards for healthcare professionals and individuals and any potential coercion.”
Health Minister Claire Christian subsequently wrote to Members of the House of Keys outlining the MoJ’s concerns and the government’s response.
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In Keys Tim Glover asked if the correspondence from the MoJ could be shared. However, Mr Cannan replied that the “process is a crown prerogative, and we do not normally share our Inter governmental correspondence with the UK”.
He assured members that the core issues were addressed in the Health Minister’s letter, describing remaining correspondence as “administrative”.
The primary concerns centre on human rights compliance.
Ms Christian’s letter, which we have not yet seen, noted the DHSC is “legally biased under Section six of the Human Rights Act to ensure the act is implemented in a way that is compatible with convention rights”.
This requires adequate safeguards and oversight mechanisms to be in place via secondary legislation and codes of practice before commencement.
Timeframe
Several members questioned the Chief Minister over the time taken for the MoJ to consider the Bill.
Dr Alex Allinson, who moved the private members bill, called it “unusual for a bill to be held up for so long”.
Chief Minister Cannan however said the issue is literally one of life and death and the MoJ was undertaking a “full legal analysis”.
When members, including Julie Edge, who said the UK’s bill is “clearly… safer than ours at the present time” asked if the bill could be brought back to Tynwald and amended, Speaker Juan Watterson advised: “It can be amended before it’s signed, and I’ve just been advised by the clerk that it has not yet been signed, so it could be amended.”
The Chief Minister confirmed that if Royal Assent is not granted before the end of this administration, the bill will fall.