Demonstrators gather as Tynwald to debate assisted dying legislation

Bill's mover says amendments will strengthen safeguards

As Tynwald prepares to debate amendments to the Assisted Dying Bill during this month's sitting, demonstrators both for and against the legislation have gathered outside the Legislative Buildings this morning.

Earlier this year, the UK Government said that "certain matters must be addressed directly on the face of the Bill" to ensure compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The bill's mover, Dr Alex Allinson, says the proposed changes strengthen the legislation's safeguards and place it on a much firmer footing should it ever face a legal challenge.

But speaking on behalf of Churches Alive in Mann, the minister of Broadway Baptist Church, Bill Leishman, says that while the group welcomes the introduction of additional safeguards, it does not believe they go far enough to make the legislation safe:

Meanwhile, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying Sarah Wootton says she hopes today will see the bill finally go through: