White House condemns UK assisted dying Bill as “state-sponsored suicide”

The White House has once again criticised Britain after MPs voted in favour of legislation to legalise assisted suicide, describing the move as “state-sponsored suicide” and warning it undermines the sanctity of life.

In a statement released by the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, the American government condemned the UK Parliament for advancing a Bill that would permit terminally ill adults to seek medical assistance to end their lives.

“As the UK Parliament considers support for state-subsidised suicide, euphemistically called a Bill for ‘terminally ill adults’, the United States reaffirms the sanctity of life,” it declared. The statement added: “The Western world should stand for life, vitality and hope over surrender and death.”

It is understood that Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, did not raise the matter during his recent meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy, making the public rebuke even more pointed.

On 20 June, the House of Commons voted 314 to 291 in favour of the Private Member’s Bill brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. The Bill would allow adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and likely to die within six months to seek assistance in ending their lives under strict safeguards. The majority of 23 was closer than expected, reflecting the deep ethical divisions on the issue.

The legislation now proceeds to the House of Lords, where it will undergo further scrutiny. Should it pass, assisted dying services could potentially begin in the UK by the end of the decade.

US intervention reportedly caught Downing Street off guard and marks another occasion of the Trump administration’s readiness to comment directly on British domestic policy.

In recent months, US officials have made pointed remarks on UK policies concerning immigration, transgender rights, and free speech on university campuses.

The trend has prompted some British MPs to warn against foreign interference, urging the US to respect the UK’s right to determine its own social and moral laws without external pressure.