Women in the Isle of Man have been stigmatised for too long over abortion.

That’s the view of the Campaign for Abortion Law Modernisation, which has supported Dr Allinson’s bill from the outset. Its members were in the House of Keys again this week, to see it discussed in the elected chamber for the final time.

Spokeswoman Lynne Dawson said: ’We know that women who’ve had abortions, for whatever reason, have been stigmatised and ignored for too long, and we’re proud that our campaign has helped to make this a thing of the past.’

But she added: ’CALM is proud that the Isle of Man is leading the way and will be the first jurisdiction in the British Isles to decriminalise abortion, meaning that those who choose to terminate a pregnancy for whatever reason will no longer be seen as criminals.

’They will also be able to choose to access full reproductive healthcare at home, and no longer have to travel to clinics across.’

The group is also in favour of the provision to allow buffer zones around clinics that provide abortion services.

’The public consultation in 2017 showed that the vast majority of respondents wanted some provision for buffer or access zones, and our politicians listened,’ said Ms Dawson.

’Provisions in this bill mean that people seeking abortions, or even those wanting to access counselling, will not be subjected to pressure from those who only want to frighten women or make them uncomfortable about any decision they’ve made, or which they might make.’

The group has thanked those who ’worked tirelessly’ on the bill.

’We’d also like to thank everyone who has supported our campaign, all those who wrote to the prospective MHKs before the last election and since, and those who’ve told their own stories publicly for the first time,’ Ms Dawson added.