The Chief Minister says he will not seek to block a move to introduce a private member’s bill on assisted dying.

Mr Quayle said he would support leave being given, but doubts he could support a bill to introduce legalising assisted dying.

The Chief Minister said: ’At this moment, my view is that I probably would support leave to introduce a private member’s bill.

’However, I have concerns about how you protect vulnerable people from being put under pressure to end their life,’

’I’m not 100% against assisted dying but it’s how you come up with those safeguards - and I’m not convinced you can. In principle, I’m prepared to listen to the arguments but if I’m not satisfied that the vulnerable can be protected from that pressure, I personally would not be able to support it.’

Mr Quayle said that the experience of a friend dying from motor neurone disease had left him receptive to the idea.

However, in his time as Health Minister, he grew concerned as to whether adequate safeguards could protect the vulnerable from relatives applying pressure.

In 2015 a move was made by Juan Watterson SHK, who was then Home Affairs Ministers, to seek leave for a private members’ bill, picking up a petition from Millie-Blenkinsop-French.

But his motion was blocked with only five MHKs supporting him and 17, including Mr Quayle, voting against.

However, following the Positive Action Group meeting, the issue seems to be gaining fresh traction with some of the 2016 intake of new MHKs seemingly pointing towards supporting the bill, subject to the safeguards Mr Quayle seeks being in place.