Lords Debate Assisted Dying Bill, Fears of Safeguards and Cover-Ups Raise Concerns

Strategic Insights -

Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, said the current law is "confused" and "causes terrible suffering and lacks compassion and safeguards". The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill aims to change the law, but Conservative former Prime Minister Theresa May expressed fears that the proposed legislation does not have enough safeguards and could be used to cover up medical mistakes. Baroness May called the Bill a "licence to kill" and an "assisted suicide Bill", stating that it effectively says "suicide is OK". She also expressed concerns about the impact on people with disabilities, chronic illness, and mental health problems, suggesting that the Bill could reinforce the notion that some lives are less worth living than others.

Key Takeaways:

  • Conservative former Prime Minister Theresa May branded the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill as a "licence to kill" and an "assisted suicide Bill", raising concerns about the lack of safeguards and potential for cover-ups.
  • Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, supports the Bill, arguing that the current law is "confused" and "causes terrible suffering and lacks compassion and safeguards".
  • Baroness May fears the Bill could be used to cover up medical mistakes, highlighting the risk of hospital-acquired illnesses or infections leading to an increased likelihood of death.
  • Supporters of the Bill argue that the current law is unacceptable, forcing desperate terminally ill people to end their lives in secret or travel abroad to Dignitas to avoid prosecution.
  • Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill, has spoken about making plans to go to the Swiss clinic and her sadness that no family would be able to accompany her due to the risk of criminal investigation.
  • Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally insists peers must vote on the overall Bill at the Third Reading, following the debate.

Statistics:

  • 190 speakers are expected to contribute to the two-day debate on the Bill in the House of Lords.
  • The proposed legislation aims to change the law to allow terminally ill adults to seek assisted dying, with a thorough process in place to ensure safeguards.
  • The current law is seen as "confused" and "causes terrible suffering and lacks compassion and safeguards" according to Lord Falconer.

Sources:

  • Times of London
  • House of Lords Broadcasting and Communications Committee
  • BBC News Online