Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson will introduce his Abortion Reform Bill into the House of Keys today (Tuesday).

But MHKs won’t be debating the bill, which allows for abortion on request up to 14 weeks, and up to 24 weeks for specific medical reasons, until its second reading on January 30.

Dr Allinson (pictured) had made further changes to his bill in the light of concerns raised by pro-life groups.

Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw has invited GP Fiona Baker, midwife Jane Shutt and consultant Graham McAll to give a presentation to Tynwald members after today’s Keys sitting outlining why they think the bill should be referred to a select committee.

But Dr Allinson said the days when committees were used to ’delay or stifle debate’ would not be tolerated any more. ’This issue is not going to go away,’ he said.

Meanwhile, a controversial UK-based anti-abortion group Abort 67 has been holding vigils, complete with banners showing images of aborted foetuses, outside the Tynwald building all last week and will continue until tomorrow.

Pro-reform campaigners Handmaids Isle of Man say they want to avoid confrontation and have adopted a very different tactic to make their case.

They have launched a social media campaign asking everyone to wear red to support the first reading of the bill.

The Handmaids say it doesn’t need to be head-to-toe red - lipstick, nail varnish, socks and ties all count.

They want supporters to take a selfie, make it their profile picture, post it on www.facebook.com/HandmaidsIOM, tweet it, or upload it to Instagram, with the hashtags #RED4ChoiceIOM and #istandwithhandmaidsIOM.

’Let’s show the world that the Isle of Man is behind Alex Allinson MHK and his Abortion Reform Bill,’ said the Handmaids’ spokesmaid.

’The public gallery of the House of Keys is nowhere near big enough for all of us, so this social media campaign means everyone can join in wherever they live and whether they’re at work or school.

’It’s simple, it’s quick, it’s different and it’s effective.’

Dr Allinson has made further changes to his bill ahead of the first reading.

Pro-life groups were concerned about a change made to clause 11 in the last draft bill.

This deals with the supply of medicinal products to induce an abortion.

Following discussions with medical staff at Noble’s, this was changed from 14 to 24 weeks.

Dr Allinson said the change was made to avoid unintended consequences as consultant gynaecologists told him they would sometimes use medications after 14 weeks in cases of late termination for foetal anomaly or after an intra-uterine death.

But critics said this might suggest abortion on request up to 24 weeks - which the bill does not allow.

Dr Allinson said: ’However, after discussion with the Chief Minister and the Attorney General’s office I have changed this clause back to 14 weeks and this is reflected in the final bill to go to the Keys on Tuesday.’

LifeIoM urged MHKs to refer Dr Allinson’s bill to a committee and to consider the ’far-reaching effects and not just the immediate ones’.

Aisling Hubert of Abort67 said the changes made in the draft bill, and subsequently withdrawn, would have ’taken the island back to back street abortions’.

Police have warned that people who block Abort67’s posters may be breaking the law.

’You can have banners but you could not cover up the other protestor’s banners. If you did you could be breaching their human rights,’ they said.