VICTORY! ESTHER WINS COMMONS DEBATE ON RIGHT TO DIE

'Write to your MPs, send them your evidence and let us hope politicians change cruel outdated law'

- Hanna Geissler and Giles Sheldrick

MPs are to debate the legalisation of assisted dying in a famous win for campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen.

Now she is urging supporters to make sure the "voice of the people is heard".

The milestone event takes place next month after a Daily Express petition backed by the Childline founder passed 160,000 signatures.

Dame Esther, 83, said: "Even though the rules say a Westminster Hall debate cannot itself change the law, it is absolutely crucial that this debate takes place, that it is based on real evidence, and that it is well attended and reported.

"We desperately need light rather than heat in this debate.

"Far too often I have heard false claims made in an attempt to oppose any change in the law. But the current cruel, messy law condemns patients and their families to unnecessary suffering, when all they ask is a pain-free serene death which itself can become a treasured memory."

The triumph for the Express's Give Us Our Last Rights crusade means MPs will debate assisted dying at 4.30pm on April 29 in Westminster Hall, the second debating chamber of the House of Commons.

Dame Esther, who has stage four lung cancer, added: "Sadly, because of my own health issues, I won't be able to attend. But my heartfelt thanks to everyone who signed our petition and so enabled this vital debate.