The Isle of Man has become the first of the British Isles to pass legislation allowing the terminally ill to be assisted in ending their own lives.

The Assisted Dying Bill will now be put forward for royal assent - at which point it will become law - after the Manx legislative council approved its final reading on Tuesday.

Dr Alex Allinson, the member of the House of Keys (MHK) who introduced the private member’s bill in 2022, said the bill will give terminally ill people “autonomy and choice” at the end of their lives.

Dr Allinson said he is hopeful it can become law later this year and that an assisted dying service could be in place by 2027.

Others have raised ethical and safeguarding concerns, with Christian political campaign group CARE calling the development a "deeply sad step" that "turns the Isle of Man’s long-standing approach to suicide on its head". 

"Under this legislation, the equal value of every citizen living on the island will no longer be affirmed," said James Mildred, Director of Communications and Engagement at CARE.

“Those overseeing the legislation have ignored very stark warnings about the prospect of vulnerable people being coerced into ending their lives, and people acting after a wrong prognosis.

“They have also rejected strong evidence of abuses and incremental expansion of legislation overseas, and evidence that many people choose assisted death because they feel like a burden.

“The cultural change assisted suicide engenders is a negative one. Recognising the equal dignity and worth of every person and safeguarding the most vulnerable in society requires keeping it off the statute book.”

Meanwhile, a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales is reaching the end of its scrutiny stage by a committee of MPs.

A key amendment currently being considered relates to expert panels deciding on applications after High Court judge scrutiny was dropped from the proposed legislation.

The bill is expected to return to the House of Commons, possibly towards the end of April or in May, for further debate and another vote by all MPs.

Jersey’s parliament is also expected to debate a draft bill for an assisted dying service later this year.

The earliest it could come into effect would be mid-2027.

In addition, a vote is expected on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in the coming weeks.