As key vote nears, at least five MPs turn against bill after previously abstaining

At least five MPs who previously abstained on the assisted dying bill have decided to vote against it at its next stage in the Commons, the Guardian understands.

- Jessica Elgot

The shift has led to concern among proponents of Kim Leadbeater's bill, which would allow an assisted death for those with a terminal illness and less than six months to live.

MPs will debate amendments to the bill on Friday with votes likely on some key proposed changes. The Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has yet to decide how many amendments will be called and how to structure voting.

If, as expected, it takes more than one session, the bill will be debated again on 13 June, which is the earliest a crunch vote on its third reading could take place. Depending on how many amendments are taken to a vote, this could even be pushed into a third week on 20 June.

Just two MPs - Lee Anderson and his former Reform UK colleague Rupert Lowe - have publicly declared they will change their vote at the next stage of the bill in the Commons. The bill previously passed with a majority of 55.

The Guardian has confirmed at least five MPs who previously did not vote are likely to vote against the bill at the final stage, though none wished to be named. At least three others who voted in favour of the bill in November have said they are considering changing their vote.