Landmark bill passes second reading after debate

ASSISTED dying in England and Wales moved a step closer after a law to legalise it passed another hurdle in the House of Lords.

- BY LUCY THORNTON

Following the second reading stage, a deal for a new select committee to scrutinise the assisted dying bill has been agreed by peers.

A record number of peers signed up to speak over the two days of debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

Lord Nick Markham, a former junior minister at the Department of Health and Social Care, recalled his experience of his mum’s last days.

He said: “My mum Judy was 62 when out of the blue she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.