Ex-Supreme Court President Supports Change to Assisted Dying Law

Assisted Dying Law Change: Key Points

The UK’s assisted dying law change has gained significant attention with several high-profile figures expressing their support or concerns about the bill.

• David Neuberger, a former president of the supreme court, has declared his support for the law change.

• He believes the present law fails to protect the vulnerable and can drive terminally ill people to end their lives in secret.

• Neuberger is confident that the tight terms of Kim Leadbeater’s bill cannot be expanded by judicial challenge.

Key Figures Weigh In

• Esther Rantzen, a TV presenter who has been a high-profile advocate for change, wrote to MPs urging them to listen to Friday’s debate and vote, whatever their view.

• Former supreme court president Brenda Hale and former supreme court judge Jonathan Sumption have also backed the law change.

• However, senior members of the judiciary, including Sir James Munby and Lord Thomas, have voiced concerns about the bill.

Debate and Amendments

• About 130 MPs are already down to speak in the five-hour debate on Friday, with at least four amendments submitted.

• Fears are sparking that speeches will be severely limited due to the number of speakers and amendments.

• The Guardian can reveal that MPs are preparing to announce a new independent commission on palliative care, spearheaded by Labour MP Rachael Maskell.

Disability Activists Speak Out

• Pam Duncan-Glancy, a Scottish Labour MSP who uses a wheelchair, has written an emotional letter to Labour MPs expressing her concerns about the bill.

• She believes that if the bill passes, it could put disabled people at risk and make it easier for them to die than to access help to live comfortably.

Support for the Bill

• Former prime minister David Cameron has expressed his support for the bill, stating that he believes it will lead to a meaningful reduction in human suffering.

• If the bill makes it to the House of Lords, Neuberger will be voting for it.

Background

The current law prevents terminally ill individuals from receiving assistance with ending their lives. Lord Neuberger believes this blanket ban can drive people to end their lives in secret, failing to protect the vulnerable.

Key Points

• David Neuberger, a former president of the UK Supreme Court, has voiced his support for assisted dying law change.

• He ruled on high-profile cases involving assisted dying and is confident that the tight terms of the bill cannot be expanded by judicial challenge.

• The current law prevents terminally ill individuals from receiving assistance with ending their lives.

• Lord Neuberger believes this blanket ban can drive people to end their lives in secret, failing to protect the vulnerable.

Reaction

Other senior members of the judiciary have expressed concerns about the bill. However, several high-profile charities are backing a new independent commission on palliative care, which will focus on improving end-of-life care.

Quotes

• “The European court of human rights has repeatedly ruled that legislation on assisted dying is a matter for individual states.” – David Neuberger

• “As for domestic courts, seven of the nine judges including me in the Nicklinson case held that assisted dying was a matter for parliament not the courts.” – David Neuberger

Disability Activists Speak Out

Pam Duncan-Glancy, a Scottish Labour MSP who uses a wheelchair, has written an emotional letter to Labour MPs expressing her concerns about the bill.

• “My opposition to the bill is based on one simple point; that it should not be easier to get assistance to die, than to live.” – Pam Duncan-Glancy

• “If this bill was to pass, the former could become the case. I know some MPs support the principle of assisted dying but that you have some doubts about what is in – and not in – this bill. You are right to have doubts and you are not voting on a principle. You are voting on a piece of legislation that I believe could put disabled people at risk if passed.” – Pam Duncan-Glancy

Support for the Bill

Former prime minister David Cameron has expressed his support for the bill, stating that he believes it will lead to a meaningful reduction in human suffering.

• “Will this law lead to a meaningful reduction in human suffering? I find it very hard to argue that the answer to this question is anything other than ‘yes’.” – David Cameron

• “If this bill makes it to the House of Lords, I will be voting for it.” – David Cameron