Protest outside Keys over abortion debate

HEAR members rally against proposals

A key debate on abortion law reform in the Island is set to get underway in the House of Keys this morning.

Members are sitting to discuss a range of issues, including a proposed private members' bill, which could see the rules on termination liberalised.

Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson wants abortions allowed here under a wider range of circumstances, and performed up to a later stage into pregnancy.

Around a dozen members of the local 'pro-life' group, Humanity and Equality in Abortion Reform (HEAR), gathered outside Tynwald earlier in protest of the plans.

A planned counter-protest by opposition group CALM - the Campaign for Abortion Law Modernisation - was postponed to a later date.

These HEAR supporters told Manx Radio their motivations for turning up: