Perthshire MSPs split over Assisted Dying Bill

Region politicians' views differ in Holyrood vote

- ALASTAIR MCNEILL

Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Jim Fairlie was this week among those backing Holyrood's Assisted Dying Bill to go through to its next stage of deliberation.

If passed, the bill would allow a patient to request medical assistance to end their life, but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors.

Mr Fairlie said on social media that he had received a large volume of emails from constituents on the Stage One debate and issued a statement on his reasons for backing it.

However, fellow Perthshire MSP, SNP colleague, and First Minister John Swinney voted against it proceeding believing that vulnerable people might feel under pressure to end their life prematurely.

MSPs backed a vote on the bill's general principles by 70 votes to 56, with one abstention, on Tuesday.