Swinney to vote against assisted dying legislation

JOHN Swinney will vote against assisted dying becoming law in Scotland after admitting he has “agonised” over his decision.

- By David Walker Scottish Politics Reporter

MSPs are set to hold a free vote on the legislation next week, six months after a similar bill was passed for England and Wales.

The First Minister has previously voted against assisted dying twice before although he did praise this latest attempt as being “much better”.

However, he will not support it due to concerns that include vulnerable people being pressurised into ending their lives because they believe they are a burden on the state or their families.

He also admitted that his religion played a part in his decision.

Mr Swinney is a member of the Church of Scotland and he has described himself as “a man of deep Christian faith”. His church confirmed earlier this week that it would be taking a neutral stance on the issue.

Legislation to allow terminally ill people to take their own life has been proposed by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur.

The law would allow a patient to request medical assistance to end their life, but only if they have a terminal illness and have been ruled mentally fit to make this decision by two doctors.