Cabinet rift on dying Bill

Justice chief warns of 'state offering death as a service'

- DAVE BURKE

ANOTHER Cabinet split emerged yesterday over assisted dying after the Justice Secretary came out against changing the law.

In a letter to constituents, Shabana Mahmood warned: "The state should never offer death as a service." The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, set to be put before MPs on Friday, would legalise assisted suicide in certain circumstances.

But Ms Mahmood said the change would pile pressure on sick and vulnerable people to end their lives.

A poll of more than 17,000 people by More in Common found 65% of the public support assisted dying, with 13% against.