An MHK has criticised the handling of the Assisted Dying Bill after the UK Ministry of Justice confirmed it would not be recommended for Royal Assent in its current form.
Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover said the concerns now highlighted by the Ministry had been repeatedly raised during the bill’s passage through Tynwald, but were not acted upon by those supporting the legislation.
Mr Glover said that while opponents of the bill accepted it was likely to pass, they had pushed for what they described as stronger and safer legislation.
He argued that the issues now identified externally were the same ones raised during debates on the island.
Result of Stubbornness
According to Mr Glover, “these safeguards identified were all brought up at the time,” but he said members in favour of the bill had “dug their heels in” and resisted amendments.
He described the current situation as “the result of such stubbornness”.
The UK Ministry of Justice says it will not recommend the Assisted Dying Bill 2023 for Royal Assent due to concerns over compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
