Lords shouldn't oppose the bill

DAME Esther Rantzen has urged the House of Lords not to block the assisted dying legislation.

- BY MIKEY SMITH Deputy Political Editor and PATRICK HILL

The landmark Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday.

But it could face a difficult passage through the Lords as critics seek to add further restrictions and safeguards.

Campaigner Dame Esther, who has terminal cancer, said: “The [Lords’] job is to scrutinise, to ask questions, but not to oppose.

“People who are adamantly opposed to this bill will try and stop it going through the Lords.