‘Compelling reasons for every MP to vote against assisted suicide Bill’, says charity

Parliamentarians are being urged to oppose Westminster assisted suicide legislation as is set to return to the House of Commons for further debate.

Ross Hendry, CEO of social policy charity CARE, believes there are “compelling reasons” for MPs to oppose the Bill wherever they stand on it in principle.

Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will reach report stage in the Commons on Friday, with parliament deeply divided on the proposal.

The proposal has faced criticism from senior Labour MPs including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Mother of the House Diane Abbott.

This week, in a major blow to proponents, the Royal College of Psychiatrists said it does not have confidence in the Bill and cannot support it.

New research suggests that a majority of GPs oppose the Bill, and many fear that patients would end their lives because they feel like a burden.

And a medical expert has cautioned MPs that little is known about the “efficacy and safety” of drugs used in assisted deaths, or doses required.

Speaking before the debate on Friday, Ross Hendry, CEO of CARE, commented:

"There are clear and compelling reasons for MPs to oppose the assisted suicide bill at Westminster, wherever they stand on the principle of it, in the midst of practical difficulties and concerns about the proposals before MPs. Amendments to increase protections for disabled people and those with eating disorders were opposed at Committee. A clause to require oversight by a High Court judge was also scrapped, further weakening the Bill.

"Professional organisations including the Royal College of Psychiatrists have said they have no confidence in the legislation, due to its central provisions being unworkable. And doctors continue to express concerns. Recent research by the BBC illustrated the strength of opposition among this group, with many doctors citing their fear that patients will feel like a burden.

Mr Hendry added:

“Instead of legislating for assisted suicide, parliamentarians should look to ensure that every life is protected and focus on improving truly life-affirming forms of care. Experts stress the effectiveness of holistic palliative care in meeting the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of terminally ill people when it receives appropriate investment and prioritisation.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) is a social policy charity, bringing Christian insight to the policies and laws that affect our lives.

Contact us: press@care.org.uk

Medical expert criticises assisted suicide drugs

In a letter to The Times, Professor Julian Hughes of the University of Bristol, said:

“On Friday MPs will consider the report stage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. One detail that might have escaped general notice is that the health secretary will approve the lethal drugs for assisted suicide.

“As the literature shows more and more clearly, this rides roughshod over established practices for drug approval and sets a dangerous precedent in clinical practice. Little is known about the efficacy and safety of the drugs at the doses that would be required.

“At a time when our NHS is in crisis, we should be ensuring that we uphold rigorous practices for licensing and reporting. The fly in the ointment is of course that the lethal drugs cannot be tested without lethal consequences.

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