Crucial votes in fight for assisted dying law

SUPPORTERS and opponents of assisted dying are braced for crucial votes tomorrow as legislation giving terminally ill people the right to end their lives returns to the Commons.

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

Scotland's Parliament has backed similar laws but campaigners hit a setback when the Royal College of Psychiatrists said it could not support the Westminster Bill in its current form. MPs will debate amendments, including changes proposed by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP championing the legislation, designed to reassure critics with further safeguards.

But opponents hope to add restrictions such as a ban on doctors telling patients assisted dying is an option.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was last debated in the main chamber in November when MPs backed it by 330 votes to 275. It was then considered by an MPs committee which made changes including ensuring that patients looking to end their life were informed about alternatives.

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