Hundreds of people a year will take their own lives with the help of the state if assisted suicide is legalised, it was claimed yesterday as fresh fears were raised over dangerous gaps in the proposed law.
Campaigners for the landmark reform claimed that fewer than 1,000 terminally ill patients with less than six months to live would ask for help dying.
Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the long-awaited bill, told reporters on Tuesday: ‘I think initially we’re probably talking in the hundreds, we’re not talking in the thousands’
They also said doctors would not be paid for their roles in approving applications, and that High Court judges would quiz one of the medics rather than simply rubber-stamping the procedure and providing lethal medication.
‘The judge must hear from at least one of the certifying doctors so evidence is actually going to be called,’ said former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Max Hill, who said the existing law provides ‘no safeguards, no rails, no guidance and leaves the vulnerable in a pitiful situation’.
A campaigner from ‘Dignity in Dying’ hold a placard during a demonstration outside The Palace of Westminster
Kim Leadbeater, pictured, said: ‘I think initially we’re probably talking in the hundreds, we’re not talking in the thousands’
Tory MP Kit Malthouse said: ‘A doctor cannot act if they’re going to benefit financially or in any material way from the death of the person. So it would have to be offered as part of their general NHS practice. There cannot be any material fees.’
But despite the safeguards, even those supportive of scrapping the law against assisted suicide admitted that it may not be voted through by Parliament.
Labour MP and consultant surgeon Peter Prinsley said: ‘Older MPs are more inclined to support this, and younger MPs are less inclined. We have a lot of new young MPs so I’m not as confident of this thing passing as I was before I started having these conversations.’
He added that because the crucial second reading is on a Friday when MPs often return to their constituencies across the UK, many may miss the vote.
‘I don’t think that abstaining, which people may be tempted to do, is a neutral act. I think that people need to make a decision about this.’
New concerns were also raised after the 38-page Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was finally published late on Monday night, less than three weeks before the Commons debate.
It emerged that doctors will be allowed to broach the topic of assisted suicide with patients even if they have not mentioned it themselves.
And anyone who wants help dying will be allowed to ‘shop around’ until they find a medic who will sign off their application if their first choice is unable or unwilling to do the job.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater joins terminally ill advocates, bereaved families, and campaigners for a photocall outside the House of Parliament
Pro-assisted dying activists protesting in support of the assisted dying bill outside parliament in April
They will also be able to get a ‘proxy’ to sign their declaration that they have a wish to die if they have a ‘physical impairment’ or are ‘unable to read’.
And a doctor will be allowed to ‘prepare’ the fatal dose or ‘assist that person to ingest’ it, although the dying person must take the ‘final act’.
Veteran Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh said: ‘This is one of the longest Private Members’ Bills ever but was only published last night. MPs will have only five hours to debate it.
‘The promised safeguards do nothing to prevent the abuses we’ve seen in Canada. Vulnerable people need our protection. This bill is not the answer.’
Tory MP Danny Kruger added: ‘The Bill imposes an obligation on the NHS to ensure everyone has access to this great new service. There’s already an obligation on the NHS to provide palliative care for all – an obligation it fails to meet.
‘Do you think, when assisted suicide is so much cheaper than palliative care – so much cheaper than hospital care itself – this is an obligation the system will duck? Or do you think the system will do its duty, and help as many people as possible enjoy the ‘last right’?’
A new survey published today finds that 70 per cent of people in England support a change in the law, with just 14 per cent opposed.
Polling led by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics found that 70 per cent believed assisted dying should be available to the terminally ill who have less than six months to live.
All you need to know about the new assisted dying bill
What is current law on assisted suicide?
It is a crime to help or encourage someone to end their lives, under the 1961 Suicide Act.
The offence is punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment but there have only been four successful prosecutions out of 187 cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service since 2009.
How would legalisation work?
Under this Bill, those who want to end their lives would have to make two separate declarations, signed and witnessed, about their wish and need two doctors to be satisfied they are eligible.
A High Court judge would then have to hear from one of the doctors and could question the applicant before they are granted permission to be given the lethal dose, which they would have to take themselves.
Who would be eligible?
Only people who are over 18, who have been resident in England and Wales for 12 months and who are terminally ill with less than six months to live.
They would have to have the mental capacity to make the decision and those who are disabled but not terminally ill would not be eligible either.
And the safeguards?
It would become illegal to force anyone to make an assisted suicide declaration, and it would also be a crime to make someone take the fatal substance. There will be ‘periods of reflection’ of at least 21 days in most cases.
What concerns do opponents have?
There are questions about the ability of people to ‘shop around’ for a medical professional who will approve their request, and the fact that doctors will be allowed to raise the topic of assisted suicide with patients. Some also fear the system will put added strain on the NHS and courts.
Will it become law?
It is being introduced as a Private Members’ Bill rather than by the Government so Labour MPs are not obliged to vote in favour.
MPs have been given a free vote on the legislation as it is an issue of conscience, making it even less clear how much support there will be.