'I've heard people's cries...I'll now vote for assisted dying'

HOPES are rising that the assisted dying Bill will clear its next major hurdle this month after a Labour minister confirmed he would vote for it, having previously abstained.

- Hanna Geissler Health Editor

The science and culture minister told Sky News: “I’m not going to hide my personal preference.

“I abstained on the first time round, I decided I wasn’t going to vote. I wanted to hear the debate. I have listened to a lot of the debate.”

Sir Chris, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, said he did not want anybody to take their own life because they felt like a burden on society.

But he added: “I also have heard the cries of people who are absolutely miserable and that’s why I will be voting for the Bill.”

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s landmark Bill will return to the Commons for another lengthy debate on Friday. A third reading vote is expected to take place a week later, at the end of a further day of debate on Friday, June 20.

Meanwhile, a number of MPs have declared plans to change their vote from abstention to against.