UK refuses to forward assisted dying bill for Royal Assent

The UK says it won't recommend the Island's new assisted dying laws for Royal Assent.

The Ministry of Justice says it needs details of independent monitoring and safeguards to form part of the legislation, after the government provided assurances over the process.

And it adds the legislation needs to contain protections required under the European Convention on Human Rights.

UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy broke the news in a letter to the government about the private members bill from Dr Alex Allinson.