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Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher has apologised for any upset caused by comments he made outside the States chamber ahead of the debate on assisted dying this week.
He has acknowledged that "certain remarks" "have caused concern for many people."
It's believed he sent an apology via email to his fellow deputies as Vale Deputy Neil Inder posted the apology on his Facebook page.
The message read:
"Certain remarks I made outside the States meeting on Wednesday, in the context of the assisted dying debate, have caused concern for many people. I in no way meant to suggest or imply that those advocating for assisted dying could or should use suicide as an option. My intention was to simply state the law as it currently is but I appreciate that in engaging in discussion with those outside the Royal Court the context of what I had hoped to convey was lost.
"I fully recognise that suicide is an option taken by those who may have lots of life left but feel they have not much hope. I know that many people who commit suicide do so because of underlying mental health issues, not necessarily because of a terminal illness. Many families in the Bailiwick will have suffered the lost of loved ones through suicide and it was never my intention to upset them.
"While I still cannot support the requète on assisted dying for the reasons I have set out during debate in the States, I do apologise for my remarks outside the States meeting having caused upset."
Jan Kuttelwascher
Deputy Kuttelwascher faced widespread criticism following the comments caught on film (below) on Wednesday. Some people have supported him for "speaking the truth" while others have said his comments were offensive.
Jan Kuttelwascher from Bailiwick Express on Vimeo.
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