Senior MSP withdraws backing for assisted suicide bill in Scotland

A senior member of the Scottish Parliament has withdrawn their support for Liam McArthur’s legislation for assisted suicide in Scotland, and other MSPs are believed to be considering changing their stance as well.

Audrey Nicoll, who is a former police officer and convener of Holyrood’s criminal justice committee, had originally supported the legislation at its first stage in the Scottish Parliament. However, she has now said she will vote against the bill because she fears that vulnerable people may be coerced into ending their lives.

The legislation was brought to Parliament in May last year by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, and passed the first stage vote with a margin of 70 votes to 56.

Only seven MSPs who supported the bill would need to switch positions in order for the legislation to fail at the second stage. Other MSPs have voiced their concerns about the bill in its current form and raising doubts about their ability to vote for it at the next stage, which could come in the next few weeks. It is unlikely that any of MSPs who voted against the bill at the first stage would be persuaded to support it at this stage.

Nicoll said that 31 years in the police had brought her into contact with the most vulnerable in society and she believed that some would experience pressure to die as a result of this legislation.

“Of greatest concern to me are the provisions around coercion,” Nicoll said in an open letter to fellow MSPs. “The reality is that some individuals will be subject to coercion and pressure, whether directly or indirectly and in ways which may be subtle and difficult to enunciate.

“My perspective on this has, to a great extent, been shaped by my policing career, and my exposure in public service to those most vulnerable in our communities. I believe, even with the most robust legislative provision in place, the reality is individuals will experience coercion and pressure from others.”

Nicoll added that, in her five years as an MSP, she had “seen very little evidence that would reassure me the bill would be subject to the level of post-legislative scrutiny required”.

Conservative MSP, Brian Whittle, said: “The way the bill stands, I could not lend my support to it,” despite having voted for the bill at the first stage. “I await to see what amendments come forward at stage three,” he added.