UK papers concerned about assisted suicide Bill

Leading British newspapers have warned against Westminster assisted suicide legislation, following a series of alarming developments.

The Sun has come out against a Bill from Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, saying it "deserves to fail". In an editorial published this morning, it warns:

"It seems abundantly clear that only those opposed to [the Bill] are genuinely interested in forensically examining its arguments and ramifications.

"The 'for' lobby... appear driven by emotion, believing theirs is the side of 'love'. They dismiss considered, detailed objections as 'noise'. The examining committee is stacked in their favour."

The Times also raises the alarm about "flawed scrutiny" of Leadbeater's bill in a leader column saying that 'safeguards' are "being watered down".

Whilst the Daily Mail takes aim at a move to scrap oversight of assisted suicide applications by a High Court judge - something marketed as a key 'safeguard' in the Bill to MPs in a debate last year.

The Daily Mail's editorial states: "This plan for state-sponsored suicide is unique in its interweaving of mortality and morality. Parliament must continue its work with the utmost dedication and with a level head. If MPs harbour even the remotest concerns, they should vote it down."