Kuttelwascher apologises for assisted dying comments

A Guernsey politician, who sparked outrage with 'callous' and 'grossly insensitive' comments on assisted dying has apologised.

The new proposals would still see a working party set up to look at if and how assisted dying could work in Guernsey. The plans have created division across the island though, with many people for and against.

Heading into the first day of debate on the steps of the States building, Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher said 'if you want to kill yourself, you can do so now' and 'there’s a number of people I’d love to assist in dying, but they’d object'.

Campaigners say they were 'furious', but Deputy Kuttelwascher has previously defended his words, saying he was simply stating his opinion.

It was a comment that garnered national media attention.

In a statement released late last night, Deputy Kuttelwascher wrote that he's aware that certain remarks he made 'have caused concern for many people' and that he 'in no way meant to suggest or imply that those advocating for assisted dying could or should use suicide as an option'.