A director from the Royal College of Midwives has hailed the development of the island’s Abortion Bill a ’victory’.

Suzanne Taylor, director for services and members of the college, commented following the latest announcement that the Abortion Reform Bill 2018 has passed all stages in Tynwald and is waiting for royal assent on November 20.

The bill, which will take abortion out of criminal law and introduce buffer zones around clinics, is expected to come into force in mid-2019.

She said: ’There is still some distance to travel before this becomes law. But, it is a welcome and important moment and an example we want to see followed by Westminster politicians.

’The RCM along with other health organisations has been campaigning for this in the Isle of Man and elsewhere in the UK, and gave evidence to the Isle of Man Government consultation on decriminalising abortion that has led to this.

’This is a victory for common sense and most importantly, the rights of women. For too long women have been denied the right to make their own decisions about their own bodies. This is about trusting and supporting women to make their choices about their bodies and their lives.

’The UK Government must now follow this lead so that women elsewhere in the UK can also make decisions without being criminalised.’