Assisted Suicide Committee rejects safeguard for people with Down’s Syndrome

In the latest controversy surrounding the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life Bill), MPs have rejected calls to add in an additional safeguard to protect people with Down’s Syndrome.

The Bill, which passed Second Reading on 30 November 2024, is currently undergoing Committee stage, a process in which a committee of MPs debates the bill on a line-by-line basis and potential amendments to legislation.

The amendment had been drawn up and supported by more than fifty groups, many of which were specifically related to the Down’s Syndrome community, including Down’s Syndrome UK, Down’s Syndrome Scotland, and the National Down’s Syndrome Policy Group.

The amendment failed to pass by 13-8, the same margin as many other amendments which look to increase safeguards to the Bill; the make-up of the Committee has been subject to criticism with Kim Leadbeater, who brought the Bill forward, being accused of ‘stacking the deck’ in her favour.

A number of figures voiced their dismay after the amendment failed, including Nicola Enoch, the CEO of Down’s Syndrome UK, who said: “Sadly, we know that in so many ways across society, the lives of those with Down Syndrome are too often misunderstood and devalued. This makes people with Down Syndrome especially vulnerable to coercion and pressure under assisted suicide laws.”

Other amendments were also rejected, including ones which would prevent doctors from suggesting assisted suicide to people with autism and learning difficulties, or to children aged 16.

This week, the pro-Assisted Suicide MP Kit Malthouse, who is on the Committee, was accused of attempting to “gag” criticism of the committee, by suggesting that a number of those speaking out against the amendments which were being rejected were “misrepresenting” the debate.

Lynn Murray, who acts as a spokesperson for the charity Don’t Screen Us Out, and whose daughter has Down Syndrome, said in response: “Multiple organisations representing people with Down’s syndrome made clear explicit protection in the Bill for people with Down’s syndrome is necessary to ensure safeguards from the negative impact this Bill would have on our community.

“The behaviour of Kit Malthouse in the committee was disturbing. He appeared to be threatening organisations representing people with Down Syndrome simply for criticising the committee’s decision. We will not be silenced in our desire to protect the vulnerable.”