Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the assisted suicide invoice, has been criticised for scrapping what was beforehand seen as one of many key safeguards towards abuse within the draft laws, specifically the requirement {that a} Excessive Court docket choose approve functions to bear assisted suicide.
Critics of assisted suicide declare that many aged, disabled or weak folks could also be pressured into ending their lives, both by members of the family, and even by the NHS itself, which is below great budgetary pressures.
Earlier than second studying of the invoice in late November, Leadbeater claimed that her proposed invoice had “the strictest safeguards anyplace on the planet”, probably the most outstanding of which was the necessity for approval from a Excessive Court docket choose.
Regardless of saying that she wouldn’t take away this safeguard, Leadbeater has in truth finished so, as an alternative proposing what critics have labelled “demise panels” made up of a extra junior choose, a social employee and a psychiatrist.
The elimination of the Excessive Court docket choose provision has spooked numerous MPs who beforehand voted on the invoice, largely as a result of they have been assured by Leadbeater that the Excessive Court docket choose provision could be the final word safeguard towards abuse.
Based on The Unbiased, 60 MPs who voted in favour of the regulation on the second studying in November did so due to the Excessive Court docket Choose provision. The invoice handed second studying by solely 55 votes.
One Lib Dem MP who voted in favour of the invoice informed The Occasions, “Probably the most vital issues to me after I voted for the invoice was the inclusion of a Excessive Court docket choose and throughout the debate, that was used numerous occasions to allay our issues.
“I must look my constituents within the eye and inform them that the safeguards are nonetheless there, and now I’m undecided I’m there.”
Catherine Robinson, spokesperson for Proper to Life UK, condemned the invoice, saying, “This harmful invoice would place hundreds of weak folks in danger within the coming years whether it is handed.
“Simply 28 MPs altering their stance to oppose the invoice would guarantee it’s defeated at Third Studying. We should now see this invoice defeated.”
