Campaigners for abortion law reform have welcomed the findings of a public consultation showing overwhelming support for change.

CALM (Campaign for Abortion Law Modernisation) said it ’shows beyond any doubt’ that the current legislation ’no longer meets the needs of the people of the Isle of Man’.

Dr Alex Allinson, MHK for Ramsey, was given leave in January to introduce a private member’s bill aimed at reforming the 1995 Termination of Pregnancy (Medical Defences) Act.

A six-week consultation ended on September 18.

In total, 3,644 individual submissions were received, including 24 from groups and professional organisations. This is the largest response to a public consultation in recent years.

An overwhelming majority - 87% (3,171 respondents) agreed a woman should have the choice to request an abortion up to 14 weeks.

A total of 84.7% agreed a rape victim should be able to request an abortion without reporting the offence. Some 81.5% agreed that a woman should be able to request a termination at any stage of the pregnancy, including after 24 weeks, if the foetus has a fatal abnormality.

A total of 73.2% thought that there are circumstances in which an abortion should be provided after the 24th week.

CALM said the response shows there is overwhelming support for change.

Stephanie Kelsey of CALM said: ’Reform of the island’s abortion law is now up to our elected MHKs and to members of the Legislative Council. We recognise the rights of members of Tynwald to question elements of the Bill and to introduce amendments.

’However, CALM firmly believes that the depth and breadth of the public consultation with responses from individuals and organisations representing all sides of the abortion debate will provide full and comprehensive answers to any concerns members may have.’

She said the consultation was the ’first step’ towards making us a ’true pro-choice island’, recognising that ’women can make informed decisions about their own healthcare and their own reproductive rights’.

’CALM believes that the new law should reflect the views of the public as shown in their responses to the consultation,’ said Ms Kelsey.

But anti-abortion reform campaigners HEAR and LIFE IoM claims the consultation was biased.

Pro-life campaigners held a minute’s silence outside the Legislative Buildings last Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act in the UK.

Sue Richardson said: ’It has been said that there was overwhelming public support for the bill.

’This is misleading as the survey effectively discriminated against anyone who didn’t have access to the internet. The option of filling out a paper form was not given. The ’overwhelming majority’ support for the bill therefore is no great surprise.

’It is also no surprise, given the biased way in which the questions were slanted on the survey itself. I have spoken to many people who were extremely angry when they went online and saw the way in which the survey had formed the questions. Not good and not fair.

’The fact is that there are some people on the Isle of Man who were not given the opportunity to voice their thoughts and views. The 87% in favour of law reform therefore, is suspect.

’We at HEAR and LIFE IoM wish to see the bill go to a select committee. We want further opportunity to give our views. Dr Allinson’s bill is a selfish and inhumane one. The humanity of the child is ignored completely, and only the pregnant mother is referred to.

’Whatever view one has, it cannot be disputed, that there are two people here - a mother and a child. One is not more important than the other.’

â?¢ The full consultation was published on the government’s website last Friday and includes the written contributions of all those who agreed that their responses were to be made public.