Isle of Man Assisted Dying Bill given Royal Assent

The bill's author, Alex Allinson, a former Ramsey MHK, said: "This is the culmination of decades of campaigning by island residents and their politicians to ensure greater choice, compassion and dignity for those facing a terminal illness."

And Clare Barber, a former environment minister, who supported the bill, added: "Having worked as a nurse, the concept of a good death is one that is exceptionally important to me.

"This does not negate the need for palliative care, it compliments it."

But campaigners against the laws have also spoken up.

In a statement Manx Duty of Care said it was "deeply disappointed" with the announcement, calling for "new members of Tynwald to table a bill to repeal it at once".

The object to the legislation, saying it "clearly breaches the European Convention on Human Rights, the Isle of Man NHS Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities".