McArthur responds to “detailed and constructive” assisted dying report

Responding to the embargoed report by the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, Liam McArthur MSP said:

“First of all I would like to thank the committee for their detailed and constructive scrutiny of my bill and all of the individuals and organisations who contributed to this process.

"The report touches on the point that fundamentally this bill is about striking the balance between providing a right for terminally ill adults to access assisted dying and the requirement to protect vulnerable groups. In my view compassion and safety are the cornerstones of my proposals. In changing the law to allow dying people more choice, while putting in place vital safety measures where none currently exist, we will get that balance right.

"While I am committed to introducing assisted dying in Scotland, I recognise the importance of ensuring any legislation works as intended. Robust parliamentary scrutiny is key to achieving that and I will reflect on the committee’s various recommendations to see what amendments might be needed at Stage 2 should MSPs back the general principles of the bill next month.

“I would also like to recognise the committee’s view that this is an issue for every MSP to consider as a matter of personal conscience ahead of a free vote in the coming weeks. Ahead of the Stage 1 vote, I hope my colleagues will listen to the voices of terminally ill Scots desperate for more choice, control and dignity and the many people across Scotland who have witnessed the harrowing deaths of friends and loved ones. I hope they will recognise that not changing the law has serious consequences as well.

“The public polling is consistent across age range, disability status, geographic area and religious belief: Scots want a change in the law to allow terminally ill people the choice of an assisted death. This bill has been a long time coming but, at long last, it can offer that compassionate choice for the small number of terminally ill Scots who need it.”