If the time comes for my wife, she should have the right to choose how her life ends with dignity...

The Assisted Dying Bill has passed the first hurdle in the Scottish Parliament with the backing of an emotional George Adam.

- EDEL KENEALY

The MSP for Paisley - whose wife Stacey lives with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) - said she deserves the right to “chose how her life ends”.

The bill had been tabled by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who said people diagnosed with a terminal illness should have the right to a dignified and peaceful death.

Those in favour of the bill said it sought to ease suffering for dying people while those who voted against it said they had grave concerns that the most vulnerable in society may be pressured into ending their lives early.

For George, however, the issue is “deeply personal” given his wife's fragile health.

While Stacey’s MS, asthma and osteoporosis are not considered terminal, he said the couple have been forced to think about how they could lead to a serious terminal event in later life.