Isle of Man abortion public consultation results to be published today

Plans to reform the abortion law on the Isle of Man are said to have been backed by people who've taken part in a public consultation.

The details will be be published in full on the Manx government website today.

87% of respondents agreed with the new abortion law reform's question about whether abortions after 14 weeks for any reason should be conducted.

70.2% think counselling should be best provided on-Island, funded by the NHS, and 1,686 people provided further comments on what social factors could affect a woman's decision to terminate pregnancy.

Dr Alex Allinson MHK drafted the Bill, who spoke to Tynwald members in January about why a new abortion act was needed.

At the moment terminating a pregnancy is currently only allowed in a limited number of circumstances.

Humanity and Equality in Abortion Reform, a pro-life group,have previously said the Bill "ignores the humanity of the unborn child":

Both HEAR and Life IOM staged a silent protest outside of the Government Buildings today to take part in the Silence of '67 - to remember the passing of the UK's 1967 Abortion Act.

Sue Richardson from Life IOM spoke to Granada Reports about the fact the consultation was only suitable for those who had online access: