UK debate on assisted dying law was sharp

British lawmakers debated whether to allow assisted dying for terminally ill people ahead of a knife-edge vote on Friday that could see the country take a major step towards legalising euthanasia.

- Peter Hutchison and Lidia Pedro, Agence France-Presse

The bill was successfully passed and the pro-euthanasia group relaxed. Protesters for and against the legislation demonstrated outside parliament, as inside MPs packed out the lower House of Commons chamber to consider one of Britain's most emotive and significant bills in years.

MPs will either approve sending the legislation to the upper House of Lords for the next step - and further scrutiny I or end it entirely during a crucial vote expected around 2:30 pm (1330 GMT). Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who has proposed the bill, said changing the law would "offer a compassionate and safe choice" for terminally ill people.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow assisted suicide in England and Wales for adults with an incurable illness who have a life expectancy of fewer than six months. They would have to be able to administer the life-ending substance themselves, and any patient's wish to die would have to be signed off by two doctors and a panel of experts. A change in the law would see Britain emulate several other countries in Europe and elsewhere that allow some form of assisted dying, including Belgium and the Netherlands.