Changes to assisted dying bill are rejected

MSPs dismiss 'restricted access bid'from Labour MSP

- KATRINE BUSSEY, PA SCOTLAND

MSPs have rejected a bid to restrict access to assisted dying to terminally-ill Scots expected to live six months or less.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson sought to make a change to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, which he said would mean people could seek help to end their life only "when death is imminent and expected".

Mr Johnson insisted putting in a timeframe is important, not only for clarity in the legislation, but to help prevent the scope of it from being expanded in future.

He was speaking as the Scottish Parliament's health committee began its scrutiny of hundreds of proposed amendments to the legislation.

Holyrood approved the general principles of Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur's Bill in a landmark vote earlier this year.