Peers accused of ‘heartless’ tactics to ‘sabotage’ assisted dying bill
Moves by peers to block plans to allow assisted dying have been criticized as “draconian” by supporters of the new law.
More than 1,000 amendments to the proposed new law were tabled by opponents in the House of Lords for a major debate today.
As pro-aid dying campaigners prepare to protest outside parliament today, Labor MP Kim Leadbeater, who is leading the campaign to introduce the new law, said the Lord’s attempt to stop the new law was “undemocratic” because it had already been approved by MPs.
He claimed that colleagues who opposed the controversial law were trying to “sabotage” it.
Ms Leadbeater outlined changes she said were “draconian”, including an “incredibly intrusive and heartless” requirement that the deceased be “filmed in the moments of death”.
Another stated that the dying person “should not have left the country in the last 12 months.”
This would prevent them from visiting family friends abroad for “a final farewell” and was “particularly cruel.”
The third amendment, which aimed to impose financial controls on relatives, meant that someone with a “dangerous distant uncle” could be prevented from receiving assisted dying leave.
Ms Leadbeater said if the new law was blocked it would be “tragic” for people like broadcaster and campaigner Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill and a strong supporter of assisted dying.
“They would have no choice and no dignity in their final days.”
Former wheelchair racer Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson, who was among colleagues opposing the bill, defended the number of changes.
He said the offer to film those opting for assisted death was to check whether there was “pressure”.
Baroness Grey-Thompson accused Ms Leadbeater of double standards, noting that the MP had proposed 130 amendments of her own while the legislation was being debated in the House of Commons.
“If we are going to introduce this legislation we have to make it safe,” Baroness Grey-Thompson said.
The former Paralympic star, who is a disability advocate, claimed the bill was “poorly drafted” and argued it was the Lords’ duty to examine the legislation properly.
As this is a private members’ bill, the Salisbury convention cannot get used to colleagues passing a bill, as is sometimes used with government legislation included in the election manifesto.
Baroness Grey-Thompson pointed out that most of the changes had come from supporters of the Bill. This included 38 from the Bill’s sponsor in the Lords, Lord Charlie Faulkner.
The bill was opposed by health minister Wes Streeting and home secretary Shabana Mahmood but had the support of prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
